Miami Heat: Why Tyler Herro scored 27 points vs the Timberwolves

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro had an impressive return to the court on May 7th after missing the last six games with a sore right foot. He went 6-of-8 from 3-point range against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On the night, Herro scored 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the floor.

Herro’s performance against the Timberwolves is significantly better than his season statistics, as he shot 34.4 percent from behind the arc on 5.5 attempts before this game. Threes were responsible for 42 of his shots as he was shooting 42.7 percent on 13.1 attempts per game.

But can Herro replicate his performance against Minnesota for the rest of the regular season and during the postseason? Yes, as long as he takes more catch-and-shoot threes. Head coach Erik Spoelstra named Herro the starting point guard before the first game of the regular season leading to more ball-handling duties. Before May 7th, Herro averaged 52.7 touches per game this season, an 18.4 percent increase from last season.

Why Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro has struggled from behind the arc

The expanded role has contributed to Herro creating a habit of settling for pull-up threes. For example, Herro grabbed a rebound midway through the second quarter of a home game against the Pacers on March 19th. He proceeded to dribble the ball up the right-wing until he was near the three-point line.

Once he got there, Herro immediately pulled up for three without seeing if one of his teammates was open or had a mismatch. He would end up missing the three-five seconds into the shot clock ending the possession.

It is not the first time Hero has settled for a pull-up three as he has increased the attempts by 8.3 percent, going from 2.4 to 2.6 per game. Pull-up attempts accounted for 47.3 percent of his total attempts before the game against Minnesota.

Unfortunately, pull-up threes have been a weakness for Herro during his professional career, converting 33.1 percent of his attempts last season on 2.4 shots per game. He has continued to struggle with pull-up threes this season, converting 32 percent of his attempts on 2.6 shots per game.

What Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro changed vs the Minnesota Timberwolves

Herro played with his three-point shooting formula against the Timberwolves. Herro took three pull-up attempts in that game, 37.5 percent of his attempts. He converted 66.7 percent of those shots on May 7th. The remaining threes were via the catch-and-shoot department.

For example, Duncan Robinson had the basketball on the left wing midway through the second quarter. He began to drive to the basket but couldn’t get any separation from his defender, Jarred Vanderbilt.

Consequently, he passed the basketball to Herro, who stood at the top of the key. Upon receiving the ball, Herro attempted and made a catch and shoot three to end the possession. The usage of Herro propelled him to make 80 percent of those shots on five attempts. The catch and shoot threes allowed him to create 12 points, 44.4 percent of his scoring output.

Herro has a track record of excelling in the catch and shoot department as a professional, making 44.2 percent of his catch and shoots on 3.0 attempts per game. He continued to thrive in the catch and shoot department this season before the game against Minnesota, converting 36.8 percent of his catch and shoots on 2.8 shots per game.

In conclusion, if Herro can maintain his catch and shoot attempts elevated, this game should serve as a turning point in his season.