“Greatest defensive play in the Playoffs”- Magic Johnson raves about Bam Adebayo’s block on Jayson Tatum

Samir Mehdi | 16/09/2020
Bam Adebayo block on Jayson Tatum

Bam Adebayo stuffs Jayson Tatum at the basket to allow the Miami Heat to pull away for the win; Magic Johnson feels it is the greatest playoff block ever.

Bam Adebayo’s Miami Heat and Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics took 2 very different paths to reach the Eastern Conference Finals

The Miami Heat cruised into the Eastern Conference Finals as they completed their gentleman’s sweep on the number 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks whereas the Boston Celtics had a gruelling 7 game series against the Toronto Raptors.

Also read: ‘He can’t guard me’: Jimmy Butler mocks Giannis Antetokounmpo after scoring on the defensive player of the year

The Miami Heat pulled away for the win in Game 1 of the ECF, 117-114, due to heroics from Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in OT.

Bam Adebayo’s monster block on Jayson Tatum

With the score at 116-114, in favour of the Heat, Jayson Tatum drives hard to the rim as he gets by everyone in the lane. It is assumed that this will be an easy, one hand jam by Tatum to tie the game up at 116 a piece.

However, Bam wasn’t going to allow Tatum to have such an easy bucket with less than 10 seconds left in the game. Bam rises up and meets Tatum, rejecting the ball and yet keeping it in play.

The All-Defensive Team center gains possession of the ball after the denial and gets fouled. He steps to the free throw line to ice the game for the Heat.

Magic Johnson reacts to Bam Adebayo’s block

NBA Twitter blew up as soon as Bam blocked Tatum’s shot, with several people calling it the best defensive play they have ever seen.

This included Hall of Fame inductee, Magic Johnson, who couldn’t get enough of the play as he called it, “the best defensive play I have ever seen in the Playoffs.”

Countless people on social media are calling this block the “Block of the year”

Post Edited By: Utkarsh Bhatla
bam adebayo Jimmy Butler Magic Johnson Miami Heat

About the author

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Samir Mehdi

Samir Mehdi is a senior strategist for the NBA division at The Sportsrush. Ever since he was 13 years old, he’s been obsessed with the game of basketball. From watching Kobe Bryant’s highlights on YouTube to now, analyzing and breaking down every single game on League Pass, Samir’s passion for the game is unwavering. He's a complete basketball junkie who not only breaks down current games but also keenly watches ones from the 60s’ and 70s’ while also reading comprehensive books on the history of the league. Samir’s life revolves around basketball and he hopes that shows in his work. Aside from work, he loves to spend time in the gym and with his friends at social gatherings.

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