After enduring a rigorous portion of the 2021-22 season schedule, the Miami Heat returned home on Monday to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans, 113-99. Left with several key players missing, both during and after a six game road trip, head coach, Erik Spoelstra, has been left with no other option but to rely more heavily on his reserve talents.
With the absences of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo having each of Miami’s top stars miss three games this season and Kyle Lowry getting the night off against New Orleans, the window of opportunity has opened for several of the Heat’s secondary options.
Tyler Herro, a potential Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player candidate, has started in his last four appearances and is providing an elite level shot-making ability. Max Strus, a skilled shooting wing, hasn’t missed a step after recently returning from a knee injury.
𝙐𝘿𝙊𝙉𝙄𝙎 𝙃𝘼𝙎𝙇𝙀𝙈 𝘽𝙇𝙊𝘾𝙆 leads to the Vincent 3 on the other end!!!!!@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/zXGNSfCDfG
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) November 18, 2021
Other Heat players, including Dewayne Dedmon and Caleb Martin, are also contributing on both ends. But, a player who might be the most underappreciated and has received an undeserved amount of criticism along the way — is Gabe Vincent.