The Miami Heat have surpassed all expectations in the 2023 NBA playoffs, and they did so without their third-best scorer in the regular season, Tyler Herro.
Herro fractured his hand in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. Former NBA player Paul Pierce believes missing Herro has been a blessing in disguise for the organization.
“I don’t want to hear nothing about Herro,” Pierce said. “If I’m Miami, how do you even play him? They have a rhythm going. Herro being hurt might have been a blessing in disguise for them because we see what Caleb Martin turned into because Caleb Martin is better than Herro. That might throw Caleb off. You throw him off by bringing Herro back. I don’t want to see it.”
"Caleb Martin is better than Herro….you throw him off by bringing Herro back" – Paul Pierce@paulpierce34 says bringing Tyler Herro back throws off Miami's rhythm, especially Caleb Martin. Y'all think Miami needs Herro to beat the Nuggets? https://t.co/2DvSiCZLiU pic.twitter.com/Z17R0RLCjt
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) June 2, 2023
It’s true that Caleb Martin has stepped up for the Heat in Herro’s absence, but he only showed up in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Boston Celtics. In the series, Martin averaged 19.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.7 APG. But in the first two rounds, Martin averaged just 10.8 PPG.
Did Martin show up for the Heat when they needed him the most? Definitely. But is he a better player than Herro? It’s debatable.
Tyler Herro Expected To Be Back For Game 3 Of The 2023 NBA Finals
The Miami Heat are doing just fine, with Tyler Herro being sidelined due to a hand injury. The Jimmy Butler-led side leveled the series 1-1 after winning Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets.
With the series heading to Miami for Game 3, Tyler Herro is also expected to return to the team.
“I have been told by people who were in the building [on Sunday] that Tyler Herro was a full participant in Heat practice. He looked quote-unquote ‘amazing’ and did everything he normally would do to get ready for a game. They’re just not ready to put him in. He is expected to make his return to the lineup for the first time in nearly two months on Wednesday for Game 3 back in Miami.”
Although Herro is expected to return on Wednesday, coach Erik Spoelstra will most likely play him off the bench. After all, inserting him into the starting five could ruin the rhythm of the team.
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