Tyler Herro emphasizes collective sacrifice and winning plays over individual game. He believes this shift is crucial for the Miami Heat's Eastern Conference resurgence.
The Miami Heat's four-game road trip was derailed with strong weather conditions, as the matchup against the Chicago Bulls was postponed due to condensation on the court. It's a rare situation, but business continues as usual, making the next stop to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers.
As the Heat continue to build continuity and chemistry, All-Star guard Tyler Herro is searching for ways to bring a winning impact after missing the majority of the season already due to injuries. The 25-year-old has only appeared in seven games, averaging 22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field, 39 percent from three-point range.
As the regular season nearly reaches the midpoint, Herro's productivity must impact winning. Ahead of Saturday night's matchup, he believes it's going to take a collective effort to regain ground within the Eastern Conference.
"It's not just play your game," Herro said. "I think we all, in different ways, have to sacrifice to try to make it work, especially with that first unit. If that's changing up how you play a little bit to sacrifice for the greater good, including myself, doing some winning things that will help the group as a whole, opposed to just myself."
Last season, the former lottery pick guard was the Heat's first option offensively, leading with a 27.1 percent usage rate, which played a key role in him averaging 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three-point range in 77 games, and being named a first-time All-Star.
It's a new situation this time around, especially with veteran guard Norman Powell in the mix, who's seeking his first All-Star nod this year.
"We were all looking forward to playing in Chicago," Herro added. "I think that was one of our most healthiest that we've been in quite some time. We all went to dinner after the game, and were looking forward to playing, but tonight we're looking forward to it. It's a good game to bounce back after the loss to Minnesota [Timberwolves]."
The Pacers are having a horrific season, entering the matchup with a 7-31 record, dead last in the Eastern Conference. The Heat shouldn't overlook an opponent on any given night, but it's a good situation for Herro and Powell to build chemistry on the court as the primary backcourt duo. Offensively, they have the potential to be one of the best in the league. However, that can't happen with injuries continuously playing a factor.
It will be interesting to see how Herro and Powell work together tonight against the Pacers, with tipoff at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our RoundTable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
More Miami Heat News: