Miami Heat Beat Hornets Through Tyler Herro’s Big Game

The Miami Heat went into Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets facing one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

Despite facing a team on a six-game win streak, Heat guard Tyler Herro put up a season-best performance, leading the team to a 128-120 win on the road.

“Our mindset was to come in here and steal one on the road,” Herro said after the game. “We know how much this meant to us in the standings. It was a collective win from top to bottom. Spo [Erik Spoelstra] said this morning, ‘for competitors only,’ and we came in and competed. That was a win right there.”

Herro finished with 33 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists in 37 minutes. He also had a team-high plus/minus at +19.

Heat center Bam Adebayo also had a big night, finishing with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. He’s now finished with 20 or more points in five consecutive games.

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Tyler Herro is Getting Back in Form as he Returns From Injury

Tyler Herro has only played in 19 of the Miami Heat’s 64 games this season. He’s battled multiple injuries that have stunted his momentum.

After returning from fractured ribs on February 20 against the Atlanta Hawks, Herro has now played in eight consecutive games, his longest stretch of the season.

“You can see he’s gaining rhythm each game,” Erik Spoelstra said. “He was sensational tonight. Having a place where he can create something for us offensively, but also on the other side, it would have been great to see him have a triple-double, because he had that kind of impact.”

After initially returning, Herro’s playing time was limited. He played 26 minutes or less in his first three games back.

He’s now back to his regular All-Star self, finishing with 20 or more points in three consecutive games and scoring a season-high 33 against the Hornets.

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The Miami Heat’s win Over the Charlotte Hornets is Arguably the Most Important win of the Season

It’s difficult to overstate just how important the Miami Heat’s win on March 6 was. The Charlotte Hornets entered the game as arguably the hottest team in the NBA, and the Heat needed the win for Eastern Conference standings purposes.

With a Heat loss, they would have been the eighth seed behind both the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. With a win, however, the Heat are the seventh seed, tied with the 76ers.

“I really want our guys to have these kinds of moments. That’s what I’ve been saying for the last month,” Erik Spoelstra said. “This is the best time of year. We feel like our game has been trending in such a great way on both ends of the court… Now it becomes about these competitive games. As competitors, this is what you live for.”

The Heat return against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, March 8. The Pistons are 45-16 and in first place in the Eastern Conference.