"Packed Paint" Making Things More Difficult For Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo Against Celtics

After opening series with two 20-point games, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has struggled in the last three

The Eastern Conference finals started with so much promise for Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo. 

It appeared he was past his postseason slump after scoring 42 points in the first two games, both Heat wins. With the Celtics having fought their way back into the series, it's no coincidence Adebayo's number have declined. 

He's averaged just 13 points in the last two games when the Celtics pulled within 3-2 in the series. The Celtics switched their defense, sending more double-teams and putting more defenders in the lane to slow Adebayo. 

"Definitely more of a packed paint," Adebayo said. "For me, you just have up that sense of urgency, watch film and get back to the basics." 

It's up to coach Erik Spoelstra to make the next move. The Heat are unable to advance just on Jimmy Butler alone. Which is Butler is already thinking of solutions to the Adebayo dilemma. 

"It's on us to get him in better position to score the ball, get it to him in transition, stuff like that," Butler said. "When you look at the film and you look at how we can be better in getting him two his spots with the ball with time on the clock to score, we'll be better at that."

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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