How Spo and Butler forced OT, 2 more observations from Heat's win vs Mavs

Three observations from the Miami Heat’s 123-118 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night at Kaseya Center.

1. Erik Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler force overtime.

First, the obvious. Butler got fouled by Dereck Lively II on the game-tying dunk. He should have had a chance to win the game at the foul line in regulation. But the refs missed the call and the Heat had to win it in overtime.

Like he did in Minnesota, coach Erik Spoelstra drew up another SLOB that resulted in a wide-open shot at the basket off a back cut.

The genius of this play is that after setting an initial screen for Butler, Kevin Love steps up and sets another for Tyler Herro beyond the 3-point line. Lively and PJ Washington get confused about who should step up to switch onto Herro, and who should stick with Butler. Both get caught watching Herro, leaving Butler for an easy catch and score. 

2. Tyler Herro getting to the basket.

In what feels like the first time all season, the three-ball wasn’t going in for Herro. So what did he do? He took it to the rack, instead. Herro missed nine of his 10 3-point attempts but when 7 of 15 on 2-pointers. After missing three straight 3-pointers, Herro scored his next three field goals on layups.

We talk about Herro’s 3-point shooting all the time (and for good reason), but his increased efficiency at the basket is also a huge part of his story. As you can see, the space he creates on the outside makes it easier for him to finish inside.

3. Pelle Larsson is a great cutter.

Of Larsson’s five made shots, four came in the restricted area and one came from the corner. Larsson’s constant movement often sets him up to score from the most efficient areas on the court.

He’s already an advanced cutter, waiting for opponents to turn their head before making a break for the basket. He’s cat-like, with impeccable timing and sneakiness. Just as important, his teammates know to look for him.

Larsson played the fourth-most minutes on the team on Sunday, more than Jaime Jaquez Jr. and forcing Josh Richardson into a DNP-CD. When Haywood Highsmith left the game with an illness, Spoelstra went to Larsson to close the game.