Erik Spoelstra must strongly consider this bold move out of the break

Erik Spoelstra should bring Tyler Herro off the bench as he prepares to make his return to the Miami Heat.

Injuries have kept Herro on the sidelines for most of this NBA season, and his lack of health and availability has certainly hindered the Miami Heat, who are currently the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and just two games above .500.

Herro has played in just 11 of Miami's games this season, and they have sorely missed his offense, of which he's produced fairly well when he's been on the floor. With Herro missing significant time, Erik Spoelstra has been forced to constantly change his rotations, which has done nothing to help the Heat. 

Yet Spoelstra has done a fair job with what he has, and the good news is that, despite Herro's time in Miami likely ending this offseason, he appears set to return to play after dealing with a rib injury this season, which the Heat desperately needs. The only question is: what's better for the Heat, for Herro to assume is usual starting role, or should Spoelstra change things up?

Heat might actually benefit from Herro coming off the bench to provide an offensive spark to the second unit

Look at Austin Reaves with the Los Angeles Lakers. Upon his return from missing 19 games (five weeks) due to a calf injury, JJ Redick chose to have Reaves come off the bench. One reason was that Reaves was on a minutes restriction, and returning right back into the starting lineup playing 30+ minutes a game could go the wrong way.  

Reaves played pretty well in the role, which will eventually change, as Reaves is bound to return to the starting lineup at some point. In Herro's case, like Redick saw the benefit of having Reaves come off the bench, Spoelstra should look at Herro in the same light. 

There is no indication yet whether Herro will start, which is his usual role. That said, if Spoelstra is looking for another way to create some offense outside of the starting lineup, Herro in the second unit could be exactly that. 

As a starter this year, in 11 games, Herro is averaging 21.9 points per game. That production came from a starting lineup of Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Norman Powell, the three most consistent starters. Powell has done the brunt of Miami's scoring this season, so immediately placing Herro back in the starters' lineup might interrupt Norman's offense. 

Should Herro come off the bench, that could open up the door for him to focus on his offense, likely being the primary ball carrier and scorer in the second unit. The offensive boost Herro is capable of providing would give Spoelstra a consistent scoring option not part of the starting lineup. 

Herro was a full participant at Miami's practice this week, following the All-Star break. The Heat have remained a top-five team in points per game in Herro's absence. Now that he's back, it should only be uphill from there. Coming off the bench might be Spoelstra's best decision in the latter half of the season, especially if the Heat wants to avoid a play-in and slide right into a playoff spot.