Winderman’s view: Adebayo sets Heat double-double record, with Seikaly present to see his mark fall

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 106-90 victory over the Washington Wizards:

– Like many Heat fans over the years, Rony Seikaly did not have to wait for the finish,

– The former Heat center was in the building to see Bam Adebayo break his franchise all-time record for double-doubles.

– Mission accomplished with 47.2 seconds to play in the second period when Adebayo secured his 10th rebound of the night.

– Already with 12 points at the stage.

– Earlier in the period, Seikaly was introduced on the big screen as the franchise’s all-time leader in double-doubles.

– It was fortuitous timing.

– Because shortly thereafter, he wasn’t, with Adebayo reaching 222 career Heat double-doubles.

– “When I set that record, I never thought that it’s going to come this far,” Seikaly said pregame, having played his last game with the Heat on April 23, 1994, a night he recorded a 17-point, 15-rebound game against the Indiana Pacers.

– “So, to me,” Seikaly continued, “it’s a blessing I’ve been able to carry it this far with all the great players that have played in this organization.”

– Only recently did Seikaly learn he still held the record.

– “I really thought that that record had been broken in the past,” he said. “I just didn’t know. And I started looking at the numbers and I’m still holding some other numbers.”

– He continued, “For somebody that came here early on as the first player picked by this franchise to still be holding records with the pedigree of talent that has come through this organization I’ve been blessed.”

– Seikaly was the Heat’s first-ever draft choice, selected at No. 9 in 1988 out of Syracuse.

– Among those on hand to share in Monday night’s moment was Sherman Douglas, the point guard who was a Seikaly teammate at both Syracuse and with the Heat.

– Seikaly, 59, joked he was glad he was still around to witness the moment.

– “I’m glad I get to see it,” he said with a smile, “because usually you’re long gone.”

– With only nine players available, the Heat opened a lineup of Adebayo, Kevin Love, Alec Burks, Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier.

– Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith and Kyle Anderson then entered in the Heat’s first substitution, midway through the opening period.

– That left Pelle Larsson the lone Heat player yet to see action.

– With Larsson entering in the next substitution, late in the opening period.

– That had Kyle Anderson as the backup center.

– The game concluded the 12th of the Heat’s 15 back-to-back sets this season.

– Heat coach Erik Spoelstra went in stressing there could be no taking the league-worst Wizards lightly.

– “These guys are high draft picks,” he said. “At any point they can be what you see with the potential and that’s why we just have to continue to be focused on our defense, making those multiple efforts.”

– He added, “When they get in a halfcourt game they play with great pace.”

– Spoelstra also noted how the Wizards have changed so dramatically since the teams played Nov. 3.

– “The personnel’s different from the team we played in Mexico City,” he said.

– The Heat have two games remaining against the Wizards, including their season finale.

–  The Heat’s lack of bodies had Love back in the mix.

– “He’s similar to AB,” Spoelstra said in comparing Love’s situation to that of Burks. “We have two really solid vets that give you a great locker room presence, not only for the young guys, that’s clear, but also the mid-vets that we have. And then to be able to be ready and produce, those are hard guys to find.”

– Spoelstra added, “Kevin’s kept himself ready and the skill set, it’s always there.”

– Herro made it 83 consecutive regular-season games scoring in double figure.