Basketball: Adams fires after slow start

Steven Adams

After a slow start to his maiden NBA play-offs campaign, Rotorua's Steven Adams is becoming a big-game player.

The Oklahoma City Thunder rookie is set to play his 16th NBA play-offs game today when the Thunder face the San Antonio Spurs.

Adams recorded a slow start to his play-offs campaign, which began last month.

In the Thunder's first five play-off games, Adams played only a combined 20 minutes and did not score a point.

But as the play-offs have heated up, Adams has come into his own. He has been given more minutes and added plenty of influence on the court.

On Monday, the big centre pulled in nine rebounds and scored seven points as his team registered a much-needed win over the Spurs.

He also had big games during series-deciding matches against the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers earlier in the play-offs.

The pressure is obviously not getting to the Rotorua athlete.

At the moment, he is part of a titanic Western Conference final battle between the Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The seven-game series will determine who makes it into the NBA finals.

Barring a late injury, the big centre will most likely be used off the bench today in game four.

Adams' efforts this season have not gone unnoticed outside New Zealand. He was recently named on the NBA's All-Rookie second team.

The All-Rookie teams were selected by a panel of 125 sportswriters and broadcasters in the United States and Canada.

Adams received the 10th-most voting points, putting him in the NBA All-Rookie second team.