The Miami Heat dominated the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night at Kaseya Center, 134-93. By far, it was their best win of the season.
Miami improved to 10-10 on the season. Once again, Tyler Herro had another spectacular performance, finishing with 31 points.
In a nationally televised game that is a rematch of the 2020 finals, you would think the storylines going into the game were the matchups of LeBron James vs. Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis vs. Bam Adebayo, but Herro stole the show.
Herro went nuclear in the third quarter, hitting seven 3s. It was the most 3s Herro has hit in a quarter for his career, and the crazy part is he did it in under eight minutes.
As the great Eric Ried said on tonight’s broadcast, “Boy Wonder is all grown up.” The Tyler Herro that can’t finish at the basket, the Tyler Herro that can’t shoot consistently, and the Tyler Herro that can’t run an offense is all but gone. Through 20 games this season, Herro has been a cornerstone for a heat offense that last year ranked in the bottom 10 for efficiency. His growth is undeniable.
We all need to relive Tyler's 3rd quarter 🎥 pic.twitter.com/8rVYgxRSyp
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 5, 2024
Why Tyler Herro Deserves to Be an All-Star
Herro holds up very well when stacking his season against the elite guards of the Eastern Conference. Only Jalen Brunson and Damian Lillard have had definitively better starts. He should be in the same conversations with guards such as LaMelo Ball, Jaylen Brown and Donovan Mitchell. Herro was not thought of as an All-Star coming into this year, but he has matched -- if not outplayed -- many of those elite guards in the East.
But Herro's case for the All-Star team isn't just based on scoring. His ability to create offense for himself and his teammates and his improved efficiency has been huge for a Miami squad dealing with injuries and inconsistencies. Night after night, Herro has carried the Heat, often being the spark that ignites their offense and keeps them competitive.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Herro has set career highs in points, assists, and shooting efficiency this season, along with continued growth on the defensive end of the floor. His capability to take over games like against the Lakers has elevated his status as one of the top guards in the conference.
And though many wrote off Herro behind several bigger names at the start of the year, one would be remiss if not acknowledging his relentless effort and undeniable production. If he can maintain this level of play, he will make his first All-Star appearance and cement himself as the foundational piece for the Heat's success moving forward.
Boy Wonder is no longer just a nickname.
It’s a title Herro is living up to.