Bam Adebayo needs to convince D-Wade and others in final stretch

Bam Adebayo has 21 regular-season games to build belief within the Miami Heat, seeking buy-in from teammates, coach Erik Spoelstra and former great Dwyane Wade after a season of mixed results.

Bam Adebayo has 21 games left in the regular season to try to change how his team and others view this Miami Heat squad. The team sits barely above .500 after notable wins and puzzling losses this year. Miami will be without Norman Powell for a while because of a groin injury. Adebayo has pushed for more minutes alongside second-year center Kel'el Ware as a way to add size and impact. Key details: - Adebayo has 21 games remaining to influence teammates, coaches and observers. - The Heat are barely above .500 with wins over Houston, Detroit, Denver, Oklahoma City and New York and losses to Utah, Indiana and Sacramento. - Norman Powell is expected to be out for a period with a groin injury. - Adebayo has advocated pairing with Kel'el Ware; that combination was credited with Saturday's win over Houston. - Coach Erik Spoelstra has sometimes been hesitant to give Ware consistent minutes, according to the article. - Dwyane Wade has been described as lukewarm about this season and has told Adebayo he wants to see consistent results. Summary: Adebayo's leadership and the short-term pairing with Kel'el Ware are presented as central factors for Miami's closing stretch. The Heat have a home game against Brooklyn on Tuesday that could extend recent momentum from the win over Houston. How much belief Adebayo can build in these final 21 games will shape perceptions of the season.