Adebayo held Jokic to just 12 points on Wednesday night.

While the Miami Heat’s fourth consecutive loss against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night was upsetting, star big man Bam Adebayo had a remarkable performance. It wasn’t a simple assignment because, in addition to being one of Miami’s primary offensive weapons, he had to guard Nikola Jokic, probably the best player in the NBA, which Erik Spoelstra lauded him for doing.

Not many people can say they have contained Jokic, who has been averaging 26.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field. However, Adebayo accomplished exactly that, limiting “The Joker” to only 12 points. Spoelstra stated after the game that there is no one else in the NBA who will go “toe-to-toe” and “minute-for-minute” against him other than Adebayo.

“Nobody will go toe to toe, minute for minute against Jokic other than Bam. Bam signs up for that and he’ll put himself out there and be vulnerable, you know, to the competition. That’s the competitor of all competitors,” Spoelstra said. “That just sets the tone and it is difficult, you have to negotiate so many different things. In the post, they started posting up a little bit more and then once you start getting comfortable that go to the two main action, and then you have to do pick and roll basketball…but that’s why Bam is bam, that’s why I always say year after year that he should be in consideration for defensive player of the year because he can do things and will put himself out there he tried to do things that the majority leave alone because it’s easier just to not do it because sometimes you’re gonna get beat.”

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Spoelstra would go into detail about how complicated and complex the Nuggets system is, as well as how layered Jokic’s game is for all players. However, Adebayo made the sacrifices and limited the reigning league MVP to his lowest scoring game since January 7.

“Jokic is a great player and sometimes you’re going to get scored on or fouled or you have to play your pick and roll defence the ball goes back to him and he scores and somebody else didn’t do their job,” Spoelstra told the media. “There’s a lot that goes into it, and their squad is complex, but you feel like you have a grasp on them. We still held them under 100, and you feel like you have a grasp on them, but then they can simply separate, and those skirmishes, I believe, they do better than anyone else in the league.”

Despite the loss, Adebayo led the Heat in points and rebounds with 17 and 13, respectively, while also dishing out three assists. He stated after the game that he “lives for the moments” when he can “compete against some of the top players in the league.”

“It’s competition,” Adebayo explained. “You live for situations like that, when you’re on the greatest stage and competing against some of the best players in the league. Finally, it’s all about competitiveness. You go out there, throw the ball up, and see who wins.”

Despite Adebayo’s outstanding effort, the Heat ultimately lost the NBA Finals rematch and fell their fourth consecutive. Miami is now 35-30 on the season, ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference, and with 17 games remaining, there is no room for error as the team embarks on a four-game road trip, beginning Friday against the Detroit Pistons.