It’s no surprise that Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro wasn’t pleased with Darius Garland’s comments about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ strategy of targeting him in their playoff series. Garland had stated that the Cavs were looking to “pick on” the sixth-year guard, adding that they wanted to “pick on their weak defenders.”
Speaking to the press, Herro took offense to being labeled a weak defender, especially coming from Garland, who is not known for his defensive prowess either.
“Somebody that doesn’t play defense shouldn’t be talking either,” Herro retorted, via The Athletic. “He don’t play any defense and we’ll see that tomorrow. He don’t play no D.”
According to the defensive rating provided by the NBA, Garland has a rating of 119.8, indicating his subpar defensive abilities. However, Herro’s defensive rating is even worse at 134.9, placing him alongside teammates Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell.
In Game 2, Herro scored 33 points despite Miami’s 121-112 loss, boasting a defensive rating of 123.8. On the other hand, Garland scored 21 points with a defensive rating of 125 as the Cavaliers took a 2-0 lead in the series.
“I mean, I’m not messing around. I don’t think there’s anything to joke about,” Herro added. “But we had said some words to each other on the court and then looked like he was in his feelings to go to the media to say that after the game. I mean, that kind of says everything right there.”
After struggling in Game 1, where the Cavaliers continuously targeted Herro, he showed improvement in Game 2 when Cleveland tried to exploit him defensively. However, Herro’s defensive capabilities are now under the spotlight, particularly in guarding Cleveland’s top scorers.
Garland is currently listed as questionable on the NBA injury report for Game 3 due to a sprained left big toe. This might delay the anticipated matchup between him and Herro until Game 4.
Game 3 between the Heat and Cavaliers is set to take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Miami’s Kaseya Arena.