Tyler Herro keeps proving Erik Spoelstra made the right call

Tyler Herro has been on an offensive tear since returning to the Miami Heat lineup, and he continued that tear Thursday night against the Heat's Eastern Conference rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers, albeit in a crushing 124-117 loss. 

Herro has been back for four games now, all coming off the bench as part of Erik Spoelstra's attempt to get the Heat back within the playoff picture and out of the play-in. Whether that truly was his motivation or simply the fact that Herro had missed so much time with a rib injury, Spoelstra wanted to ease him back in. 

Well, nevertheless, Herro has shone as Miami's sixth man, and not that he isn't a starting caliber player (he certainly is), but perhaps coming off the bench for the remainder of the season will only benefit Herro not only for this season, but his future, which may not involve the Heat. Still, right now, Herro is proving that Spoelstra's decision was the right one for everyone. 

Tyler Herro nets 25 points off the bench, giving the Heat that offensive punch second-unit punch they desperately need

In four games since his return from injury, Herro has scored 24, 14, 14, and 25 points. While his shooting percentage has not been great, he is shooting well from three and contributing offensively in a way only Jaime Jaquez Jr. has for Miami off the bench this season — and he's been rather good. 

Herro has played in only 15 games this season due to one injury after another, but when he's been on the floor, he's averaged 21.2 points per game, which clearly shows he has plenty of value, and the Heat's offense is better for it. 

His latest performance against the 76ers was his best yet since returning, and he also played the most minutes so far. There's no doubt that Herro actually looks better coming off the bench. Of course, Spoelstra could still shift course from here to the end of the season and insert Herro back into the starting lineup. 

That said, suppose Spoelstra decides to keep things as they are. Herro is being a solid sport about it, even recently stating he does not feel out of place coming off the bench, which helps keep any potential headaches away from Spoelstra and keeps team chemistry in check without any egos.

If there is one potential concern, though, it's only that lately in Herro's career, as soon as he returns from an injury and begins to figure things out or pick up right from where he left off, another injury pulls him back down. Hopefully, for his sake and the Heat's playoff hopes, this time Herro's hot streak sticks, and he can remain healthy and available so Spoelstra can stop adjusting the lineup every week.