Miami Heat 106-93 Brooklyn Nets: 5 talking points as Bam Adebayo’s timely offense and the Heat’s unforgiving defense overwhelm the Nets

The Miami Heat took down the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday with their trademark grit on both ends of the floor. While the game featured periods where both NBA teams had the lead, the Heat proved to be just too much in the end.

Kyle Lowry was back after sitting out the previous game with an injury. His presence on the floor made a significant difference for the visiting team. He was at the point of attack on offense and defense for the Heat all game long.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are still trying to get used to this version of James Harden. The former MVP has been solid but is nowhere near the level that the Nets need him to play. If the Harden of the last few years does not return to form, it will be a very long season for Kevin Durant and the Nets.

Here are five talking points after the Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets game:

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#5 The Brooklyn Nets’ starting five

The Brooklyn Nets should avoid a flat start against the Miami Heat, so Steve Nash's starting unit should be on point [Photo: Nets Wire - USA Today]

Steve Nash’s most used starting unit before the game against the Miami Heat was made up of Kevin Durant, James Harden, Blake Griffin, Joe Harris and Nic Claxton. This unit, in 20 minutes together, has an abysmal Offensive Rating of 83.3 and a disastrous Defensive Rating of 132.6. That means they have been outscored by opponents in those 20 minutes by a staggering 49.2 points.

Nash switched it up to the Brooklyn Nets' most effective unit last season in the game against the Washington Wizards. Once he replaced Claxton with Bruce Brown, the result was immediate, based on the eye test. The Nets looked more fluid and the spacing was way better. The numbers also bore the same results. Their Offensive Rating went up to 104.2, and their defense was stout at 95.7. They were outscoring opponents by 8.5.

Bruce Brown started the game, probably because Claxton was a late scratch because of cold-like symptoms. The Brooklyn Nets could have also used Jevon Carter as they did before, but Nash wanted to play it safe against an organized and tough Miami Heat team.

Brown started and was replaced by Patty Mills. When Brown left, the Heat were leading 11-10.

The decision worked as the Brooklyn Nets weren’t on their back heels early into the game. He finished the first half with a team-high 20 minutes of action.

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#4 Kyle Lowry’s effect on the Miami Heat

Kyle Lowry has been an invaluable addition to the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are undefeated when Kyle Lowry plays. When Lowry is on the floor with Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson, P.J. Tucker and Bam Adebayo, the Heat has a solid 108.8 Offensive Rating. The insane defense grinds out rival teams to 87.5 points. The unit outscored opponents by 21.3 points.

Replacing Lowry with Herro changes the dynamics of the Miami Heat. Surprisingly, their offensive rating drops to 80, and they give up too many points with 94.3. They have been outscored by 14.3 with Herro in place of Lowry.

The former All-Star was all over the place in this game. He scrambled for loose balls, drew charges and just frustrated Blake Griffin in the post when he switched onto the big man.

Lowry finished with 9 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds for the Miami Heat. The Heat are just a totally dominant team with Lowry on the floor, as shown in this game. They are still undefeated this season when he plays.

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#3 The Miami Heat lords it over the board and the paint

The Miami Heat's relentless rebounding was critical in keeping the Brooklyn Nets' offense at bay [Photo: Sportscasting]

Coming into the game, the Miami Heat averaged 51.7 caroms a game, which is the fourth-best in the league. They dominated the boards, particularly on the offensive end, where it was an 11-1 advantage for the Heat in the first half alone.

The discrepancy allowed the Heat extra possessions, which contributed greatly to the team’s offensive production. Miami’s effort on the boards was very evident in this game. Their scrappy identity was displayed by jostling for positions, gang rebounding and box-outs.

The Miami Heat’s concerted effort to go after rebounds on both ends of the floor paid dividends in crucial moments of the game. When it seemed like the Brooklyn Nets were going to gain momentum with a minor run, the Heat’s unrelenting pressure on the boards just made too much of a difference.

Miami's 62 rebounds to 42 for the Brooklyn Nets was a big part of the story in the game. A 17-4 offensive rebounding edge in favor of the Miami Heat was just too much to overcome.

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#2 The Brooklyn Nets need James Harden to step up

James Harden is still struggling with his game, five games into the season for the Brooklyn Nets

In 36 minutes of play, James Harden had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. He also had 4 turnovers, and the Brooklyn Nets were outscored by the Miami Heat by 12 points in the minutes that The Beard was on the floor.

Except for a quick flurry in the second quarter that included a four-point play, he was generally a non-factor in the game. The Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat got glimpses of the usual Harden in that second-quarter outburst. He was a big reason why the Nets momentarily grabbed the lead.

The Miami Heat defense shut him down in the second half, though. He finished with just three points in the next 24 minutes. Harden's tricks in getting fouls are almost out of habit, but the refs just would not blow the whistle.

The former NBA leader in free throws made and attempted tried hooking Bam Adebayo's arms several times in the game but never got the call he used to. His subtle foot swings when shooting are still there, but they got him nothing.

If James Harden can't adjust to the new rules, the Brooklyn Nets will find it rough sailing throughout the season.

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#1 The Brooklyn Nets still have no answer for Bam Adebayo

The Brooklyn Nets have yet to solve the Bam Adebayo puzzle [Photo: Sun Sentinel]

In three games against the Brooklyn Nets last season, Bam Adebayo totaled 29.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists while hitting 60% of his field goals. He also had a game-winner against the Nets in April.

In this game, the Miami Heat's starting center ended up with 24 points and 9 rebounds. He converted 8-17 field goal attempts. Many of his points came in the fourth quarter when the Brooklyn Nets tried a last-ditch effort to win the game. His defense in this game was a telling difference.

Adebayo's defense at the rim changed several shots while effortlessly switching onto James Harden and Kevin Durant on the perimeter. Adebayo as the last line of defense, with Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry on the perimeter, is just a nightmare to score against.

It's safe to say that Bam Adebayo has owned the Brooklyn Nets in the last few games.