3 things the Miami Heat need to focus on to break out of their funk: Tyler Herro as the closer
Tyler Herro has been struggling this past week in the games he did appear in, but it should go on record that it was in the midst of battling knee issues that also could’ve warranted precaution for the NBA Playoffs.
Put that aside and Herro has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. Without a doubt, he has locked up the Sixth Man of the Year award, but what’s considerably more newsworthy about him this season is how he has clearly marked himself as the Heat’s closer.
Despite the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets games, where he finished with only 10 points and four rebounds in Philly and 13 points and rebounds in Brooklyn, it was crystal clear he was missed in the other two games.
A drop-off pre-injury and cold game post-injury shouldn’t change the fact that this team needs Herro’s sleek yet effective offensive push off the bench and in late-game scenarios. “Injury” even makes it sound drastic – he was out only two games. But you catch my drift, his absence was sorely missed.
If this past week has taught us anything, it’s that with playoff implications on the line (and if you’re not the Phoenix Suns, who hold a 10 game lead over second-place Warriors), you don’t let these games slip. Miami needs to figure out their issues before playoffs come around. They very well could be facing a repeat of last year’s first-round sweep if they continue last week’s energy.