In a game that held major playoff implications, the Miami Heat found themselves within striking distance of the Chicago Bulls late in the fourth quarter — until a baffling decision by Tyler Herro turned the tide for good.
With the Heat trailing by five points and roughly 40 seconds left on the clock, Herro found himself in transition with a clear path to the rim. The smart play — the obvious play — was to take the easy two and cut the deficit to one possession. Instead, Herro opted for a heat-check three. Brick.
The shot didn’t just miss; it completely derailed Miami’s shot at a comeback. On the ensuing possession, the Bulls calmly worked the ball around before knocking down a dagger three of their own. That pushed the lead to eight and sealed the 119–111 win.
What made the decision especially frustrating was how much sense the layup made in that situation. You score the quick two, make it a one-possession game, and set your defense. With around 35 seconds left, a stop gives you the ball back with a shot to tie. Instead, Herro’s rushed three not only failed to score but gave Chicago a transition chance of their own — and they made it count.
Adding to the sting is the fact that Herro had been sensational all night. He led Miami with 30 points, flashing his full offensive bag — step-backs, drives, deep range — and looked like the most confident player on the floor. But in crunch time, confidence gave way to impatience, and it cost the Heat in a game they couldn’t afford to lose.
This wasn’t just a bad shot — it was a breakdown in basketball IQ, in understanding time, score, and situation. For a team clinging to Play-In hopes, those are the moments you simply have to get right.
Tyler Herro has had clutch moments before and will likely have more in the future. But this one will stick for a while — because all he had to do was take the layup.