Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Tyler Herro adds to his All-Star case with another top-shelf performance in the win versus the Cavaliers

The Heat successfully defended their home court against the hottest team in the league. The crew sliced up the visitors in the half-court. Tyler Herro outplayed five All-Stars, binging on Cleveland’s defense with outside jumpers and strikes to the lane. And Duncan Robinson had his fifth night of the season downing at least four trifectas.  

The defense, anchored by Bam Adebayo, was the story of the first half. They slowed down the Cavaliers to a 102 offensive rating, which would be below the average of the worst attack in the league. Butler got in on this action as well, intercepting one pass and poking the ball loose from Jarrett Allen’s grasp, which set up Herro on the break. 

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Miami’s captain was in an offensive groove, too, logging five of seven attempts, and Robinson added five freebies and two treys in the first half.

Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley did not play the second half because he sprained his ankle.

The third quarter was Herro’s second in three outings scoring at least 19 points. It was like watching a boxer unleash a storm of punches against his cornered foe. Robinson made two 3-pointers in the period, too. 

Then Herro had two offerings in the fourth quarter: one for Adebayo on the right wing for a 3-pointer and another for Dru Smith on a baseline cut. Smith was the hot weapon out of the holster to close, giving everyone else a break. 

Postgame, Terry Rozier said he hopes Herro keeps it up the whole year. Coach Erik Spoelstra said he is opening up other layers of the team’s offense. “You gotta spend some time trying to scheme against him.”

In total, Herro supplied 34 digits on 10 of 19 shots, with six rebounds and seven dimes. It was his fifth night of the season breaking 30 points. Adebayo and Butler each had at least 30 points on two nights this year. 

Consider this: if Herro were swapped for Jamal Murray, the Denver Nuggets would be contenders again.

Herro has graduated as a professional scorer with solid playmaking abilities. He is one of seven players in the NBA scoring at least 23 points per game and logging a 59.0 effective field goal percentage. The others are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Nikola Jokić Karl-Anthony Towns, and Norman Powell. Antetokounmpo is the only Eastern All-Star from last season on this list.

“The goal is to win a championship, but it starts now with building the habits,” Herro said. 

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