Tyler

Herro

After coming off the bench for each of his first four games back from the rib injury that kept him out for a month, Herro was inserted back into the Heat starting lineup on Saturday. Norman Powell (groin) was out, opening the door for Herro to take on a more familiar role. He was efficient against the Rockets, shooting 66.7 percent from the field and finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete line. The Heat play four games in Week 19, starting with the Nets on Tuesday.

Powell had to leave Thursday’s game against the 76ers during the first half, as his attempt to play through his groin issue backfired after ten minutes of action. The good news is that Powell has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain, which is the lowest severity. Powell will miss at least four games, and his absence may open the door for Tyler Herro to return to the starting lineup.

Thursday’s performance was Herro’s best since returning from a rib injury that sidelined him for just over a month. After recording six assists in each of his prior two games, the Heat guard recorded seven against the 76ers. Add in the 25 points on 50 percent shooting and increase in playing time, with Herro logging 32 minutes, and this was an encouraging effort. Norman Powell (groin) exited during the first half, with Herro moving into the lineup to begin the third quarter. Regardless of what Powell’s availability is for Saturday’s game against the Rockets, Herro could be ready to move back into the starting five. And if Powell is available, that may mean that Pelle Larsson (9/4/6/2/1 with two three-pointers) will be the odd man out.

Powell came into this game as questionable, but he attempted to play through the groin injury that popped up on the injury report Thursday afternoon. However, his night will end after just 10 minutes in the first half. Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will see a bump in minutes in the second half.

After shooting 9-of-14 from the field in his first game back from a rib injury that sidelined him for over a month, Herro has cooled off. Over the last two games, the Heat guard is 10-of-32 from the field. Fantasy managers will be pleased with the six assists he dished out in Milwaukee, but this is not going to be a quick process for Herro, given the injury that he’s returning from. The Heat play two more games in Week 18, starting with the 76ers on Thursday.

Mitchell’s absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup, with Tyler Herro being his potential replacement. Herro may still be under a minutes restriction, so there may also be a few more minutes for Dru Smith.

Having returned to action on Friday, Herro will be available for Saturday’s game as well. He logged 24 minutes in Friday’s win over the Hawks and will likely take on a similar workload against the Grizzlies.

Herro returned from a lengthy absence and had 24 points in Friday’s win over the Hawks. The 26-year-old point guard only played 24 minutes, but now he’s likely to play again Saturday on the second night of a back-to-back given his probable listing. Pelle Larsson could lose out on some minutes once Herro is without a minutes restriction.

Friday’s game was the first for Herro since January 15, and he didn’t appear to miss a beat in Atlanta. The Heat guard was efficient as a scorer and playmaker, shooting over 50 percent from the field and committing no turnovers. Herro was limited to 24 minutes on Friday; that number will increase as his conditioning improves. Pelle Larsson (12 points, six rebounds, one assist and two steals) remained in the starting lineup and played well, but he’ll likely be the player who’s bumped from the starting lineup once Herro’s restrictions are removed.

Mitchell was upgraded from questionable to available, as the Heat look to put together back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly one month. Mitchell, the team’s leader in assists per game, should play a pivotal role in getting Miami’s scorers going. Andrew Wiggins’ and Tyler Herro’s returns from injury should also benefit the Heat.