MIAMI (AP) \u2014 It’s Wilt, then Bam.<\/p>\n
Bam Adebayo had a night for all time on Tuesday, with a point total second to only Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA record books. Adebayo scored 83 points, setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win<\/a> over the Washington Wizards.<\/p>\n \u201cAn absolutely surreal night,\u201d Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. \u201cObviously, we\u2019ve been blessed to have been part of a lot of big moments in this arena. This one, it just happened. Moments happen and I\u2019m grateful that we\u2019re all able to be a part of it and witness it.\u201d<\/p>\n Chamberlain once scored 100 points, a record that has stood since 1962. Kobe Bryant \u2014 one of Adebayo’s basketball heroes \u2014 was No. 2 on the list with 81. Adebayo never thought he’d be in that club.<\/p>\n And then came a night he’ll never forget.<\/p>\n \u201cWilt, me, then Kobe,\u201d Adebayo said. \u201cIt sounds crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n Adebayo\u2019s final numbers: 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, 7 for 22 from 3-point range. <\/p>\n He was in tears as he hugged his mother, Marilyn Blount, before leaving the floor after the game. Emotions were kept in check, until then.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special,\u201d Adebayo said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think it was going to be 83. But to have this moment is surreal, because like I said, man, to be able to do it at home, in front of my mom, in front of my people, in front of the home fans, this is a mark in history that will forever be remembered.\u201d<\/p>\n Adebayo’s career high, before Monday, was 41.<\/p>\n That was passed by halftime.<\/p>\n Adebayo started with a 31-point first quarter and never stopped rolling. He was up to 43 at halftime, 62 by the end of the third quarter. And then came the fourth, when the milestones kept falling despite facing double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line.<\/p>\n \u201cBAM BAM BAM,\u201d former Heat forward LeBron James posted on social media. James had the Heat single-game record of 61 points, set on March 3, 2014. He’s now No. 2 on the team list \u2014 by a wide margin.<\/p>\n The NBA’s previous best this season was 56, by Nikola Jokic for Denver against Minnesota on Christmas night. The last player to have 62 points through three quarters was Bryant, who had exactly that many going into the fourth for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas on Dec. 20, 2005.<\/p>\n Adebayo got to the line 16 times in the fourth, and the game had some comical moments. The Heat made clear they kept wanting Adebayo to get the ball and get to the line, even in a blowout. The Wizards tried to foul others \u2014 but couldn’t stop the scoring onslaught.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to give him credit,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. “In the first half he shot the ball terrific, he scored the ball really well. Obviously, he came out and had a little bit in the third, too. They obviously kept him in the game, and there was a lot of fouls called \u2014 16 free throws in the fourth quarter. I was trying to take the ball out of his hands, he still got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. I can\u2019t explain some of those calls. That\u2019s all I got to say on that.\u201d<\/p>\n And Adebayo only needed the first half to set a career high, too.<\/p>\n