an excavating adapter / tooth point assembly has an interfit configuration in which the front end surface of the adapter base has a curved front surface portion that slidingly and complementarily engages a facing curved rear end surface portion of the tooth point . the adapter nose received in the tooth point pocket is somewhat smaller in cross - section that the pocket to permit a limited vertical rocking movement of the point relative to the adapter nose , about a connector structure captively retaining the point on the adapter nose , while transferring rearwardly directed excavating loads on the point to the curved sliding adapter / point interface area . top and bottom sides of a rear end portion of the point have curved ear projections which extend rearwardly and outwardly along the adapter base and function as built - in wear guards that protect underlying surface portions of the adapter base .