Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra did not mince words Tuesday when speaking about LaMelo Ball’s dirty play on Bam Adebayo.
The Charlotte Hornets star swiped at Adebayo’s legs as the All-Star center was off balance along the baseline during their play-in tournament matchup at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Adebayo fell and injured his lower back, sidelining him for the rest of the contest.
Without Adebayo, the Heat lost an overtime thriller 127-126 to end their season. When asked about the incident after the game, Spoelstra called for the league to punish Ball.
“I don’t think it’s cute. I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play,” Spoelstra told reporters during his postgame press conference.
“He should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys. Somebody has got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that.”
Ball went on to score the go-ahead floater in the dying seconds of overtime to give Charlotte the win. LaMelo recorded 30 points and 11 assists on 12/31 shooting in the victory.
Adebayo played just 11 minutes in the do-or-die affair, tallying 6 points and 3 rebounds. With the contest being as hotly contested as it was, Miami having its All-NBA big man on the floor could have easily changed the final result.
Instead, the Heat are off to Cancun while the Hornets buzz their way to at least one more game in the NBA play-in tournament.
