Adebayo Passes Mourning on Heat Scoring List in Suns Win

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo delivered a standout performance in a 127-121 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, scoring 29 points to surpass Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning for second place on the franchise's all-time scoring list with nearly 9,500 career points. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Heat, who relied on Adebayo's efficiency, finishing 11-for-15 from the field while adding nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.

Adebayo, a three-time All-Star, has faced scrutiny this season for a sharp decline in his offensive production. He is averaging 16.4 points per game on 44.6 percent shooting, down from 19.3 points on 52.1 percent last season and a career-high 20.4 points on 53.1 percent efficiency during the Heat's 2022-23 Finals run. His scoring has dipped further recently, with just 11.4 points per game over his last 11 outings on 37.1 percent shooting, including a career-worst 31.7 percent from three-point range. Analysts point to a shift in the Heat's offense, which has moved away from pick-and-roll sets that previously maximized Adebayo's strengths near the rim. He is now attempting 34.6 percent of his shots from 16 feet and...