The Miami Heat lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night.
Despite the final score reading 116-98, the gap between the two teams felt much bigger than that. Outside of an early run by Miami, Los Angeles largely dominated the game from start to finish.
Interestingly enough, the Heat’s best moments in this one came with Tyler Herro on the bench. They were up 23-10 prior to him checking in. By the time he checked out, the Lakers were up 83-50.
MIA 23, LAL 10
Tyler Herro checks inMIA 54, LAL 80
Tyler Herro checks out— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) October 1, 2020
Herro’s suspect defense, in particular, caught fans’ attention.
Tyler Herro was -35 tonight, tied for the lowest +/- by a player in a Finals game since 2000. pic.twitter.com/Z94pYGEd9I
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 1, 2020
lebron every time tyler herro gets switched onto him pic.twitter.com/NopE138e2U
— Chad Smith (@schad933) October 1, 2020
duncan robinson and tyler herro whenever they get switched onto Lebron pic.twitter.com/iTQFrCui4T
— August Pinkett-Smith (@jorryetavious) October 1, 2020
Tyler Herro is a MINUS-35??!?!?!?!?
— ⚜️ (@ezemahi) October 1, 2020
Miami Heat -35 when @raf_tyler was in the game, the worst of any player on the team.https://t.co/PoefyR28c4
— Matthew Van Grinsven (@GrinsvenMatthew) October 1, 2020
Coach Spo telling Herro he has to guard Lebron: pic.twitter.com/w5O9GNH94k
— DVHofficial (@dvhofficial) October 1, 2020
When LeBron gets the Duncan Robinson / Tyler Herro switch pic.twitter.com/X88XrITOdp
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) October 1, 2020
Herro ultimately finished Game 1 with 14 points on 6 of 18 shooting, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
The rookie will have a chance to redeem himself this Friday night when Miami takes on LA for Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.