ROOKIE Tyler Herro had a blazing game from start to finish as the Miami Heat moved on the cusp of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals return for the first time since 2014.
Herro converted five outside shots and finished with career-best 37 points as the Heat posted a 112-109 triumph over Boston Celtics in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday (Thursday in the Philippines).
Herro was impressive all game long but went pivotal for the Heat at the stretch of the fourth period after seeing their once double-digit lead turn into an 84-85 deficit.
Herro drained a three-point basket and later converted a layup as the Heat regained the lead at 91-85. The rookie connected another trey two possessions stretching Miami’s advantage to 98-90.
Boston attempted a run several times, but Miami responded with its baskets from Herro, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragić and free throws by Jimmy Butler.
Butler and Dragić added 24 and 22 markers respectively while Adebayo had double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Jason Tatum finished with 27 points despite going scoreless in the first half while Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker added 21 and 20 points respectively for the Celtics.
BOX SCORES:
MIAMI 112 – Herro 37, Butler 24, Dragić 22, Adebayo 20, Iguodala 3, Robinson 3, Crowder 3, Hill 0.
BOSTON 109 – Tatum 28, Brown 21, Walker 20, Hayward 14, Smart 10, Theis 8, Wanamaker 4, R. Williams 4, Ojeleye 0, G. Williams 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 24-23; Q2, 50-44; Q3, 77-76; Q4, 112-109.
The NBA holds all matches of its 2019-2020 playoffs at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States./PN
