Extrapolation Sport

Another night where NBA history has been rewritten with Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points in Heats win against the Washington Wizards.

Before last night, it was Wilt Chamberlain who dominated the all time scorers tally, with his 100-point game spearheading the table.

Kobe Bryant with a masterful 81-point game was second in the chart, against the Raptors in 2006.

And now stands Bam, wedging himself between the two immortal scoring records, usurping Mamba’s record.

42 minutes. 83 points. 9 rebounds. 2 assists. 20/43 FG. 36/43 FT.

Adebayo is now the second highest scorer in a single game in NBA history.

His previous career high was just 41 points. Known for his defence, and not nominated as an All-Star last month, making the feat all the more remarkable.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra opened his post-game press conference by saying: “Anything happen tonight?”.

“The last six minutes of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter I was a fan,” said the Heat Head Coach. “This one came out of nowhere. This one snuck up on us. It snuck up on all of us. Once it kept on going, we knew we could be part of something special.” 

“You’re caught up in the moment like everyone else. And I didn’t want to get in the way. And I damn for sure wasn’t going to take him out.” 

Before Tuesday night, Bam averaged 4.8 free-throw attempts per game this season. Finishing last nights game with an astonishing 43 attempts, making 36. His attempts and makes also being single-game NBA records.

“It’s a special moment,” Adebayo said. “It’s Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy.” 

Scrutiny of course remains, with some fans calling the historic night, ‘unethical’, for the aforementioned forty-three free throws.

The Washington Wizards were a predictable victim. They have long sat at the depths of the Eastern Conference, constantly flirting with the draft lottery. Brian Keefe benched his two stars after the third quarter – contributing to the cause.