CHICAGO — Despite its infallible lore, the idea of Heat Culture always had to be propped up by a leader. Over Erik Spoelstra’s extensive tenure, he’s always had someone to handle the ball with as much care as aplomb.
That’s been the job of elite wings thus far, but Jimmy Butler ran himself out of town and forced the Miami Heat to find the heir apparent. Tyler Herro has been steadily biding his time, preparing himself for the call. He could complement Heat stars well, but could he do what it takes over an entire game to hold the edge?
With Butler off leading the Golden State Warriors to a Play-In victory the night before, this was Herro’s moment to prove he can be Playoff Herro. Or at least Play-In Tyler for now. The guy who steps up to transform the Heat offense with grit and persistence, finding ways to beat the defense as it throws different waves at him throughout the night.
Herro finished with 38 points but seven turnovers in the Heat’s 109-90 win over the Chicago Bulls, the most points by a Heat player in the team’s five Play-In games. Now they advance to visit the Atlanta Hawks in the showdown for the eighth seed and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
“It’s potentially the last game of the season, so I’m trying to leave everything on the floor,” Herro told The Athletic. “Just staying the course. It’s a long game, and there’s going to be different pockets throughout the game when things are going better than others. So just trying to stay even-keeled and aggressive.”
Read more on Herro and the Heat below.
Playoff Herro was leader Heat needed to dismantle Bulls, advance in Play-In Tournament
