Bam Adebayo had the first 20-rebound triple-double in Miami history as the Heat overcame a significant offensive drought late in the game to secure a 108-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.
Adebayo finished with 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his sixth regular-season triple-double. Tyler Herro contributed equally with 22 points, while Duncan Robinson added 12 for Miami.
LeBron James was the top scorer of the night with 30 points, but his effort wasn’t enough for the Lakers, who dropped to 0-4 on the road. Austin Reaves nearly achieved a triple-double, ending the game with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. The Lakers suffered a setback when Anthony Davis, after experiencing left hip spasms, had to leave the game, concluding with nine points and six rebounds.
Final Moments and Missed Opportunities
In a game that saw no scoring from either team in the last 2:39, the Heat managed to hang on despite not having a field goal in the final 4:15. A crucial moment came when Adebayo was called for travelling with 8.9 seconds left, giving the Lakers one last shot. LeBron James, attracting defenders on a drive, passed to Cam Reddish for a potential game-winning corner jumper, which, unfortunately for the Lakers, bounced off the rim. Jimmy Butler secured the rebound for Miami as time expired. A notable defensive play included Kyle Lowry taking a charge against James, underscoring the Heat’s resilience in the closing moments.
The game’s dynamic shifted when D’Angelo Russell was ejected with 7:52 left after receiving a pair of technical fouls. The subsequent free throws by Herro extended Miami’s lead to 100-88. This turn of events came just as the Lakers were closing the gap. Following Russell’s ejection, the Lakers’ lineup struggled, compounded by injuries to five players, including Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, affecting their on-court performance