Tyler Herro’s standout performance, featuring 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, propelled the Miami Heat to a 115-106 victory over the Orlando Magic during Wednesday night’s NBA action.
Herro, playing in only his 10th game this season, showed impressive form, hitting 10 of 17 shots from the field and shining from beyond the arc with a 4-for-5 performance in three-pointers. His progress this season was evident as he remarked on reaching higher levels of play as he gained more game experience.
“I feel like the more games I play, the more comfortable I’m going to be,” Herro said. “I’m not in midseason form yet. I would like to say there’s another level I can take it to.”
The Heat’s bench played a crucial role in the win, with Haywood Highsmith leading the reserve players by scoring a season-high 15 points, including four three-pointers. This collective effort was highlighted by coach Erik Spoelstra, who attributed the victory significantly to the bench’s contribution.
“Our bench really drove us to this win,” Spoelstra said. “They finished the second quarter, and they finished the game, for the most part.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic Updates
Miami was without key players Jimmy Butler, sidelined with a strained left calf, and Kevin Love, out with an illness. Despite these absences, the team rallied to secure the win, marking their fourth in the last six games.
For the Magic, Cole Anthony scored 20 points, followed by Franz Wagner with 15. Despite struggling with his shooting, Paolo Banchero contributed with 10 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Orlando welcomed back center Wendell Carter Jr., who returned after a 20-game absence due to a fractured left hand, contributing eight points and six rebounds in his comeback.
The Heat’s offensive prowess was on full display as they ended the first half with 12 consecutive successful shots, including multiple three-pointers that contributed to a 17-0 run. This run established a significant lead for Miami, which the Magic struggled to overcome.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic Updates
Cole Anthony of the Magic reflected on the team’s defensive shortcomings during Miami’s scoring surge, emphasizing the need for improvement and cohesion as a unit.
“We didn’t get back on defense. We were in a constant scrambling mode and they made us pay,” Anthony said. “We’ve got to grow up as a unit. We had a good run for a while and we’ve hit a rough patch. We can’t handicap ourselves like that and then expect to dig ourselves out. That’s called beating ourselves.”
Despite the Magic’s efforts, their loss marked their third consecutive defeat, a first for the season, prompting coach Jamahl Mosley to call for accountability and recognition of the team’s potential.
“We’re disappointed. We should be disappointed,” Mosley said after his team lost a third straight game for the first time this season. “Give Miami credit for what they did, but our guys know what we can do and we have to hold ourselves accountable for that.”
Looking ahead, the Miami Heat are set to host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, while the Orlando Magic hit the road for a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
