The last place Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro expected to find motivation was from the failures of one of the NBA’s top superstars.

But that’s exactly what’s happening.

Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic is finding himself the victim of heavy criticism due to a lack of success as a two-way player. He’s not known for strong play on defense, but the NBA Finals are exposing how much of a weakness it is.

Herro’s defense is considered his biggest flaw despite improvements in recent years. He’s no stranger to offensive inconsistencies, but a jump on the other end could negate shooting woes. A lack of discipline plays a part in the struggles. He’s often caught out of position, leaving his teammates to overhelp. Opponents shot more than 44 percent when guarded by Herro last season.

Doncic has a significantly larger frame at 6-foot-7, 230 pounds (compared to the Heat guard’s 6-foot-5, 195 pounds), which is why his flaws are often hidden. However, the dynamic skillsets of Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are bringing the problem to light. Herro faced similar issues against Tatum and Brown in their first round gentleman’s sweep.

Sports personality Colin Cowherd is among those pointing to Doncic’s defensive woes as a reason the Mavs are trailing the Celtics 3-0.

“Your legacy is largely framed by Finals and Western Conference Finals. This is going to stick to him. He was atrocious defensively in these Finals,” Cowherd said. “My comp to him is he’s a better Carmelo Anthony. I don’t think he’s in great shape, I don’t think he’s easy to play with [and] I don’t think he’s committed on the defensive end.”

Whether Herro decides to focus on defense or his shooting inconsistencies will become apparent at the start of next season, but regardless, his name will likely remain in trade rumors.

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

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NORTH MIAMI, FLA. (WSVN) – The skies opened up across South Florida on Wednesday, but the heavy rainfall did not prevent fires from breaking at homes in North Miami and Miami.

Ten Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the first house fire near Northwest 130th Street and 10th Avenue in North Miami, just before 9:25 a.m.

Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the south side of the structure.

Firefighters quickly hosed down the flames extinguish the fire. Crews noticed gas cylinders that had ignited due to the fire, so they pulled a second hose line to cool the tanks.

The local utility company was called out to secure a downed power line and the utilities to the home.

At around 3:35 p.m., City of Miami Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene of the second house fire in the area of Southwest 64th Court and Fifth Avenue.

Crews arrived at the scene of the blaze to fond the one-story home with smoke billowing from the rear.

A 7News viewer sent in cellphone video of the smoke and flames.

Firefighters extended hose lines into the rear of the property and found an exterior fire. They also rescued a dog from an efficiency in the rear. All other residents evacuated before crews arrived.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross are assisting five adults and three children who were displaced as a result of the fire.

The Miami Fire Investigation Unit was also requested to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

No injuries were reported in either fire.

Remember, if you see news happening and can do so safely, take a picture or shoot video and send it to: senditto7@wsvn.com.

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Arkansas men’s basketball program will face the Miami Hurricanes in the second annual SEC/ACC Challenge, ESPN announced today. The game will be played on Dec. 3 (Tuesday) at Miami’s Watsco Center in Coral Gables. Network designations and tip-off times will be announced at a later date.

The Razorbacks and Hurricanes have only met on one previous occasion when the two programs were paired in the first round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament in Nashville. #23 Miami, the sixth seed, defeated 11th-seeded Arkansas, 75-71.

Ironically, Razorback head coach John Calipari will be facing the Hurricanes for the second time in as many seasons for the SEC/ACC Challenge. Last season, Calipari’s 12th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats beat #8 Miami, 95-73, in Rupp Arena.

Arkansas defeated #7 Duke, 80-75, on ESPN before a Bud Walton Arena record crowd of 20,334 as part of last year’s Challenge. Trevon Brazile had 19 points and 11 rebounds with two blocked shots in the Razorback victory and was later named the SEC Player of the Week for his effort.

Last season — thanks to wins by Arkansas and Calipari, the SEC and ACC tied, 7-7, in the inaugural Challenge.

2024 SEC/ACC Challenge Matchups

December 3 – Tuesday

Arkansas at Miami

Cal at Missouri

Florida State at LSU

Georgia Tech at Oklahoma

Kentucky at Clemson

Notre Dame at Georgia

Ole Miss at Louisville

South Carolina at Boston College

Syracuse at Tennessee

Wake Forest at Texas A&M

December 4 – Wednesday

Alabama at North Carolina

Auburn at Duke

Pitt at Mississippi State

Texas at NC State

Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech

Virginia at Florida

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Copyright 2024 KAIT. All rights reserved.