Tyler Herro gets last laugh after brawl breaks out in Heat vs Rockets

Tensions flared in the Miami Heat’s huge 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Tyler Herro cooked offensively, along with help from a pair of role players as they took down the third seed in the Western Conference. The Heat improved to 16-14 and now head back to Miami for a three-game homestand with Jimmy Butler’s return looming.

Nikola Jovic proved he can be an X-factor, adding an impactful 18 points in an all-around performance. It was a strong bounce-back outing from the third-year forward, and a consistent effort like this could pay dividends as the Heat gear up for an in-season push. 

Miami also got contributions from Haywood Highsmith’s 15 points and 8 rebounds, along with a 12/10 double-double from Bam Adebayo. 

However, Tyler Herro continues to steal the show. The rising Heat star led the team to the win, much to the dismay of Houston. He controlled the pace and went deep into his offensive bag, hitting an array of buckets. Herro had the rim attacking, midrange, and 3-point shot going while providing elite playmaking abilities— including clutch plays down the stretch. 

Tyler Herro finished the game with 27 points, nine assists and six rebounds on 10 of 17 shooting (59%).

His All-Star case appears iron-clad, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Herro could also be looking at a Most Improved Player of the Year award and All-NBA nod in the near future, as the guard continues his leap. His season stats are virtually all at career-highs, and he is on pace to become the Heat’s first 24+ point scorer since LeBron James in 2014. He is up to 24 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 48% from the field, 41% from deep and 62.3% true shooting on the season. 

Miami outscored the Rockets by 13 points in Herro’s minutes, and Houston reached a breaking point with a late-game scuffle. Amen Thompson, the primary defender on Herro, got in his face and threw him to the ground with around 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Both team’s instantly got into it with Terry Rozier being the first Heat player to get involved in the defense of his star teammate.

“We gotta protect all our guys, but definitely Tyler at all costs," Rozier told reporters after the game. "I got a lot of love for Tyler, just a great dude. We gotta protect him. It’s natural instincts.”

The altercation led to five Rockets players and staff getting ejected, including head coach Ime Udoka. Rozier and Herro also got kicked out of the game, but Herro’s clutch playmaking had already iced it.

When asked about what happened, Herro used it as an opportunity to get one last jab.

"Guess that's what happens when someone's scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing," Herro said. "I'd get mad too."

Performances like Sunday's have become commonplace for Herro, who is garnering the attention of potential All-Star voters. His last 10-game stretch has been impressive, and he is doing it in other ways besides just scoring. Herro’s passing, rebounding and improved defense are why he should be recognized as more than just a scorer.

The growth is inspiring and the result of putting in the work behind the scenes. Teams haven’t been able to find any answers to his game, as he reads the defense as well as anybody on the team with career-high shooting efficiency. The higher IQ is another underrated part of his rise to stardom.

Amid all the drama, he and the Heat got the last laugh during Sunday’s matchup, as they picked up their ninth straight win over Houston. It was an eventful evening and one that only solidified Herro’s All-Star status around the league.