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Tyler Herro Reacts to Darius Garland's Shot at Him

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jack Meyer | Last updated Apr 25, 2025 7:37 PM ET

Despite already being down 0-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, tension appear to be simmering between the Miami Heat and their top-seeded adversary in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Following Cleveland's 121-112 game two win, Cavs All-Star guard Darius Garland appeared to take a shot at Miami Heat leading scorer Tyler Herro, saying the team was looking to "pick on [him]" defensively.

Herro, who was named an All-Star himself for the first time this season, responded to the jab on Friday - and he wasn't exactly happy with Garland's choice of words. The Heat guard even went as far as calling the latter's defensive abilities - or lack thereof - into question as well.

"To go to the media to talk about game plans against a guy kind of says a lot about him," Herro said. "Somebody that doesn't play defense shouldn't be talking, either. He don't play any defense and we'll see that [in Game 3 on Saturday]. He don't play no D."

Herro led all scorers in game two with 33 points, but it wasn't enough to stave off the 51 combined points from Cleveland's high-powered backcourt of Garland and Donovan Mitchell.

Just hours after Herro's response became public, Garland was officially listed as questionable for game three with a sprained left big toe. The Heat and Cavaliers are set to tip off in South Florida on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET.

Miami will look to avoid going down 0-3, while Cleveland hopes to move one game closer to a first round sweep.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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