The Miami Heat start their upcoming five-game roadtrip Thursday night when they face the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center. As they look for four straight wins, they will have to go up against the likes of quite possibly the two greatest shooters of all time in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
After the Heat practiced Wednesday, Miami star Tyler Herro spoke about the matchup with himself and Curry. There was no hesitation when the 23-year old said that the Warrior is “the best shooter of all time” and he touches briefly in the amount of problems he poses for opposing defenses.
“He’s a great player. Obviously one of the best shooters of all time, if not, the best,” Herro said. “He presents a lot of problems and things to work through and negotiate on our defensive end to try to stop him and their offense. So we worked a little bit through it today and then we will revisit it tomorrow morning at shoot-around to try to prepare for him.”
Herro is in the midst of a career-best season as he is averaging 24 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The Univeraity of Kentucky product also missed a significant portion of the season as he suffered from a Grade 2 right ankle sprain against the Memphis Grizzlies when he landed awkwardly on Jaren Jackson Jr. in early November.
He has been back for four games and has averaged 26 points per game since he has returned, providing a huge jolt to the Heat that they desperately needed. While rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. was the lead scorer last game for Miami in the Christmas Day win against the Philadelphia 76ers, Herro scored 22 points to go with six rebounds and five assists.
Erik Spoelstra talks about facing the Warriors
Looking ahead to Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also spoke about the matchup. He credited not only the play-style of the team that has seen immense success in the past, but also praises the environment as it will force Miami to play “good consistent basketball.”
“Their style of play still is there, it’s evident. I think the whole league is trying to figure this out right now, and that’s why you just can’t pay attention to what everybody’s saying on the outside. It’s not like they’re a bunch of teams playing consistent basketball, there are a handful. And then basically everybody else is trying to figure it out,” Spoelstra said. “And Golden State like us has had some really good moments where they’ve looked like a bit of who they’ve been, and they’ve had some moments where they’re trying to figure it out. We feel like we’re in a similar area. They still play an incredibly unique style. That’s just a great environment to play there. I think it’s a good way to kick off this road trip because you’re going to have to play good consistent basketball.”
When it comes to the Warriors, they are 15-15 so far which is good for tenth in the Western Conference. While it has been anything but a consistent stretch, they were just recently in a five-game winning streak before they lost to the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.
The Miami Heat are currently 18-12 to start the regular season which puts them at fifth in the Eastern Conference behind the Orlando Magic. A win Thursday would make it four straight wins for the team as they are currently hitting their stride.
