Miami Heat: Tyler Herro Has To Always Be Involved In The Closing Moments

In an unconventional loss to Washington on Saturday, the Miami Heat took their foot off the gas in an outcome that seemed to be within their grasps.

Up 63-47 and with under seven minutes remaining in the fourth, the Heat squandered a 24-point second half lead. following several defensive miscues and ill-advised fouls.

Of course, the officiating was another part of it, as it’ll always factor into wins and losses but the reality is that Miami had a slew of opportunities to come away with a road win.

However, they simply just couldn’t.

Nonetheless, Washington should receive some credit for storming back, as they took a 103-100 lead with twelve seconds remaining. Shortly after, the Heat gave the final shot to Jimmy Butler, who was just one point shy of achieving a third straight 30 point night.

He would take a potential game-tying three pointer over Montrezl Harrell that missed before time expired.

Miami Heat: Tyler Herro Has To Always Be Involved In The Closing Moments

The Heat were outscored, 25-32, in the final period and the second leading scorer behind Butler was 21 year old shooting guard, Tyler Herro. He scored six of his 20 points in the fourth.

There was only one field goal attempt for Herro in the final eight minutes, which was a made pull-up jumper off a screen handoff from P.J. Tucker. After starting the previous four games, Herro reverted back to the Sixth Man role against the Wizards, where he has contributed at an outstanding level throughout the early stages of the season.

In the first half of Saturday’s loss in Washington, Tyler had a Usage Rate of 39.4, but that number fell to 16.7 percent in the fourth quarter.

Ultimately, the Heat’s probability of contending for an NBA title does go as far as Butler takes them and his 2020 NBA Finals performance makes that indisputable.

However and even with the significance of Miami adding another solid closer in Kyle Lowry, there’s an importance of realizing that Herro is a valuable option. He’s already good and continuing to emerge, at that.

It’s uncommon for most teams to depend on a sub-25 year old player to be dependable, but Herro has been very capable and has show that this season. Despite not having the longevity behind it, yet, he’s shown to be able to do all the things you need a top option-closer to do.

Moreover,  we’ve seen flashes of Tyler’s determination to take the final shot — even if it doesn’t fall.

Miami Heat: Tyler Herro Has Shown Capable Already, So Utilize Him

One game that comes to mind is the Heat’s overtime loss to Los Angeles on November 10th, where Herro scored nine in the fourth. Although he missed all three of his field goals in the extra period, two were featured looks and threes taken at a tough angle.

Though those attempts were unsuccessful, they were designed plays that shows that Erik Spoelstra yields the utmost trust for his third year guard. That’s in calling his numbers and trusting him to make those looks.

Even in Monday’s outing against Oklahoma City, Herro took control with a strong balance of scoring and distributing. Albeit the Thunder and with them being a much inferior opponent, he’s capable and never shies from playing out of his element.

Herro shouldn’t only see those opportunities during games when the Heat’s marquee players are out of the lineup. He’s the second leading scorer on a title-contending team.

He’s also Miami’s leader in minutes and points per game during the fourth quarter. There’s a threshold that the Heat will eventually need to cross with Herro and how many fourth quarter touches he’s getting.

Regardless though, having multiple dependable options late in games is a privilege for any NBA team and over the years, the Heat have had that privilege. However, Miami shouldn’t hesitate to start embracing Boy Wonder more consistently, as there’s an improved ability and confidence of getting to his spots.

Now should be the most ideal time to groom him, as they’ve done before but this time, it should be at an extended and accelerated rate. Herro’s moment will come and it will be seen in the near future.