The Cleveland Cavaliers have gained the upper hand in their first-round playoff matchup against the Miami Heat, establishing a decisive 2-0 lead. Yet, Cavs guard Darius Garland remains vigilant, particularly regarding Miami’s primary offensive threat, Tyler Herro.
In the wake of Jimmy Butler’s trade situation, the Heat have increasingly relied on Herro to shoulder the offensive responsibilities, and he has risen to the occasion. Garland highlighted in his postgame remarks that the team’s strategy is focused on curbing Herro’s offensive effectiveness in the future matchups.
“I believe we’ve been doing a solid job against him. If one guy gets the better of us, let it be Tyler Herro. Focus on him and handle the ball carefully. Avoid tight situations and target their less skilled defenders,” Garland remarked.
Darius Garland on what the Cavs need to do to continue to win:
“Pick on Tyler Herro.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/K8i96FUZti
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 24, 2025
Herro is doing all he can to keep the Heat competitive. In Game 2, which ended in a 121-112 loss for Miami, the team initiated a strong comeback early in the fourth quarter, spearheaded by Herro. He concluded the game with 33 points, six rebounds, and five assists while hitting 14-of-24 from the field.
Garland also had an impressive performance in Game 2, contributing 21 points, two rebounds, and nine assists, despite shooting 6-of-14 overall and just 2-of-8 from three-point range.
Garland Voices His Championship Aspirations
Darius Garland has articulated that his ambitions extend beyond personal accolades, seeking to claim a championship for the city of Cleveland. In a recent press conference, he expressed his dedication to winning a title for the fans.
“The goal is to win a ring and bring it back to Cleveland. That’s the most meaningful reward I can offer the fans right now—proving the world wrong,” Garland asserted.
Now in his sixth season with the Cavaliers, Garland has evolved into one of the league’s most reliable point guards. This season, he is averaging 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.
Image Source: Darius Garland @ Instagram
