Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier have been the Miami Heat’s starting backcourt for only three games so it may seem early to question the fit now, but a seven-game losing streak puts all options on the table.
But when asked if he believes Herro and Rozier can thrive as Miami’s starting guards, Spoelstra remained committed to the combination.
“Yes, I do,” he said.
It doesn't sound like Erik Spoelstra plans to go away from the Tyler Herro-Terry Rozier backcourt any time soon.
There’s no questioning the offensive firepower of that duo, but there are real questions about how Herro and Rozier can hold up defensively, especially in high-octane matchups that could await in the playoffs.
“We have enough where our guys can all be plus defenders in our system, including those two,” Spoelstra said. “They bring great speed and quickness at their positions.”
The early returns have not been encouraging. The Heat have yet to win a game with Herro and Rozier starting together and have been out-scored by 24.5 points per 100 possessions when they share the court, according to Cleaning The Glass.
Those lineups are being scored on at a rate of 134.2 points per 100 possessions. That’s bad.
It’s been a little better offensively. Rozier had been mired in a post-trade shooting slump before breaking out for 21 points on 8 for 14 shooting in Monday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns. His playmaking has been apparent right away, though. He’s averaging 4.5 assists and just 1.5 turnovers in his first four games.
Herro remarked on Monday night that he’s trying to “be more of a catch and shoot guy” in Miami’s revamped offense, which features four players who need the ball when factoring in Herro, Rozier, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
There are questions about the Heat’s new backcourt, but Spoelstra appears intent on trying to make it work with the new group.