The Miami Heat blew out the Washington Wizards, 120-94, Monday night at Capital One Arena. Here are three observations.
1. Tyler Herro’s gravity
Herro has been one of the league’s best 3-point shooters this season. Only five players have made more 3s than Herro, whose shooting fueled his first All-Star nod. Opponents have taken notice.
Since the All-Star break, teams have put their top perimeter defender on Herro to try to chase him off the line. Herro has countered by getting to the paint more. Coach Erik Spoelstra has praised his work off the ball. By learning how to use his new-found gravity, Herro can make a dramatic difference for his teammates.
Here, we see how Herro’s presence above the 3-point line jumbles Washington’s decision-making. Pelle Larsson goes to set a down screen and Herro relocates to the top of the arc. Both Wizards defenders lunge at Herro, and Larsson makes a timely cut to the rim.
Herro, without touching the ball, helped Larsson get a wide-open dunk.
2. Pelle Larsson’s cutting clinic
All seven of Larsson’s made shots were within the restricted area. He’s making it easy on himself. What has become clear these last couple of games is that Larsson is already an elite cutter. His timing is impeccable, and he makes himself available for passes and dump-offs.
3. Bam and Tyler’s two-man game
As the Heat march into a new era, the two-man game between Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro will be even more important. They have decent chemistry already, but sometimes it can be a bit mechanical. Handoff here, rescreen there.
This was a neat bit of improvisation.
Herro sees his man try to cheat over the screen and high-tails it to the basket. Adebayo sees it coming and drops it off to Herro on the move for an easy layup.
This is what they talk about when they say “Take what the defense gives you.” It’s read and react. Herro’s growth has made more of this possible.
