3 years agoMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo (thumb) has not only been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Cleveland, he will be on the shelf for much longer. The dynamic 24-year-old big man has sustained a torn UCL in his right thumb and will need to undergo surgery, which is expected to keep him out of action for the next 4-6 weeks. Enjoying a stellar start to the year, averaging 18.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest, Adebayo will cede the starting center spot to Dewayne Dedmon, although head coach Erik Spoelstra could also opt to utilize P.J. Tucker as a small ball center, a role he has familiarity with. There will be significant opportunities up for grabs with the Heat in Adebayo's absence, with Wednesday serving as the first look into how the labor could be divided over the next month-plus.--Jesse Borek
Source: Shams Charania