Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra as main star holding Heat together without Tyler Hero

ByNBAUSA


MIAMI – With Miami Heat play under the microscopeas with 2024 first-round pick Kel’el Ware, there were plenty of minutes for the team’s second-round pick that same year for Pele Larsson. After that The Heat are coming off an underwhelming loss to the shorthanded Chicago Bulls on Saturdaythe team bounced back the next night with a 43-point victory over Chicago, 134-91, helped by a big outing for Larsson.

There’s no denying that Larson played a huge role in Miami, to the point where he started 30 games this season, as the perfect complement to players like Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo. Bringing defensive intensity, he has shown fearlessness in attack, bringing supreme physicality as he blazes to the rim in a Heat offense that favors a fast pace.

The week marked back-to-back outings in which he scored at least 20 points, recording 20 points, four rebounds and four assists while filling the stat line every night. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra it would speak of growth Larson had from freshman to sophomore year.

“He’s growing every month, he’s getting more confidence, and we want to instill that kind of confidence in him because he does all the intangibles,” Spoelstra said. “But he also has talent on both ends of the floor. He does, you know, things that lead to wins, and then now, because of his play, his voice is starting to get louder in the locker room and we all respect that and want more of that.”

Heat’s Bam Adebayo on Pelle Larsson’s continued influence

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larson (9) warms up before the start of the game against the Chicago Bulls at the Cassia Center.
Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Doc Heat star Tyler Hero has missed 40 games this seasonthe team was looking for other players to reinforce, apart from stars such as Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins. Larson did it in a complementary role that led to impressive outings, whether scoring 20 points or two, which is the same feeling made by Adebayo.

“The thing about Pele (Larsson) is that he plays the right game,” Adebayo said. “He does the little things. Sometimes he’ll have 20, sometimes he’ll have two points, but he still has an impact on the game when you still know he’s there, he’s there.”

Larson has averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game so far this season while shooting 49.2 percent from the field, but the stats only speak for themselves. Larson had a +34 on the floor against the Bulls on Sunday, which, looking at him on the plus side, bears repeating, but he will always be ready if the ball comes to him.

“I just looked good and made them,” Larsson said. “That’s kind of our offense. Sometimes you’re going to get good looks and you just have to be ready to shoot.”

However, one aspect Spoelstra mentioned that was eye-opening was his voice getting louder in the locker room, which he told ClutchPoints is how much more comfortable he is with the team.

“The longer, the more time you spend with somebody that you’re more comfortable with in that relationship, and also being able to show a little bit more than what I can do on the field, I think people trust me more,” Larson said. “And I mean, we have a pretty open locker room, everybody can talk and share their voice. So I really appreciate that.”

Either way, Larson wants to keep it going in the Heat’s next matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.





2026-02-03 18:15:00

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