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Here’s why Erik Spoelstra trusts Bam Adebayo enough to play him in late-game situations

Bam Adebayo has earned Erik Spoelstra’s trust.

Yes, he’s just 21 years old. Yes, he’s played in fewer than 140 regular-season NBA games.

But Spoelstra trusts the young big man to play him in a lot of late-game situations. Entering Saturday’s game against the Nets, Adebayo has logged the second-most fourth-quarter minutes (462) this season among Heat players behind only Josh Richardson (531).

“That’s unique,” Spoelstra said. “When we drafted him, I don’t think I would have anticipated that I would trust a 20-year-old and 21-year-old to be able to finish important games. But he’s earned it.