More recently in 2020, Bam Adebayo joined Miami’s list for most rebounds in a playoff game.
Home of elite level players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal, the Heat have had some epic playoff performances in their playoff history. Here, we’ll take a look at the rebounding side of things. We’ll show you the five top individual rebounding performances in the postseason for players wearing the Heat jersey in the history of the NBA.
Shaquille O’Neal, 20 rebounds (2006 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 6)
O’Neal saw most of his glory days as a member of the Magic and Lakers while playing alongside the likes of Penny Hardaway and Kobe Bryant, respectively, but he still found a way to make a lasting impact as a Heat player after winning the 2006 NBA Finals. O’Neal also happened to match the franchise’s all-time record for most rebounds in a playoff game during that run when facing the Bulls in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round. O’Neal finished that contest with a monster 30-point, 20-rebound double-double that also included five assists and two blocks across 39 minutes as the Heat won 113-96.
Rony Seikaly, 20 rebounds (1994 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 3)
Prior to O’Neal’s 20-rebound haul in the 2006 NBA Playoffs, the owner of that record in sole possession was none other than Seikaly. A towering big man, Seikaly grabbed 20 rebounds in Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference First Round against the Hawks in a game that finished with a 90-86 victory for Miami. Seikaly also added 12 points, two assists, two steals and two blocks across 44 minutes. However, Atlanta would turn things around and win the series 3-2 after securing victories in Games 4 and 5 later that month.
Bam Adebayo, 19 rebounds (2020 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 4)
The Heat swept the Pacers in the First Round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs, and Adebayo delivered the best rebounding effort of his career in the playoffs in the series-clinching win on August 24. Adebayo played a key role in that Game 4 victory, finishing with 14 points, 19 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block across 37 minutes. The Heat would go on to reach the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Chris Bosh, 19 rebounds (2013 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 3)
Bosh was a player capable of putting up double-doubles every time he stepped onto the court, and he had one of his best rebounding performances of his playoff career in Game 3 of the Eastern Semis against the Bulls. The power forward played a big role in the Heat’s 104-94 win over the Bulls on May 10, 2013, posting 20 points, 19 boards, four assists and two blocks. The Heat would not only win the series, but they’d end up winning the NBA Finals against the Spurs in seven games in what was James’ second title in South Beach.
Udonis Haslem, 19 rebounds (2005 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 3)
The Heat swept the Nets in the first round of the 2005 NBA Playoffs, and Game 3 of that series was one of Haslem’s most significant moments in his career. The big man delivered an outstanding 14-point, 19-rebound double-double, while also adding three assists, in 47:19 minutes as the Heat won that contest 108-105. Haslem is one of five players to ever record at least 19 rebounds in a playoff game for the Heat, and this was also one of his 26 playoff outings with double-digit boards in his career.
