Winderman’s view: In wake of loss to Cavaliers, Heat’s Herro now awaits All-Star fate

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 126-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers:

– Tyler or no Tyler?

– That will become known by 7 p.m. Thursday, when Eastern Conference reserves are named for the All-Star Game.

– For Heat guard Tyler Herro, it figures to be a close call.

– No more than six guards from the East can make it, based on roster rules.

– Already in as Eastern Conference backcourt starters are Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson.

– Both highly deserving.

– As Mitchell certainly showed in this one on Wednesday night.

– From there, logic says that three of the four remaining East backcourt spots likely go to Damian Lillard, Cade Cunningham and Darius Garland, if only because of Cleveland’s dominance this season.

– So Herro . . . or Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey, LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, or someone else?

– Herro’s path could otherwise be as an injury replacement, similar to when Goran Dragic made it for the first time with the Heat.

– The argument is that a better record would have significantly boosted Herro’s chances.

– Instead, back to .500 after this loss.

– As it is, Herro on Wednesday night extended his franchise record to 79 consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer.

– It was Herro’s 71st consecutive regular-season game scoring in double figures. As a means of comparison, Jimmy Butler’s longest such Heat streak is 63 consecutive games. The franchise record is 294 by LeBron James.

– For a third consecutive game the Heat again opened with a lineup of Herro, Kel’el Ware, Bam Adebayo, Haywood Highsmith and Duncan Robinson.

– It was Ware’s fifth consecutive start.

– While the Heat were without Butler, the Cavaliers also were shorthanded, with Garland given the night off for rest.

– The Cavaliers were limited in that option, with a nationally televised game Thursday against the Hawks and the league discouraging rest in such games.

– Also out for the Cavaliers were  Sam Merrill (illness), Isaac Okoro (shoulder), Dean Wade (knee), and Caris LeVert (wrist).

– Highsmith opened defensively on Mitchell.

– Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic entered together as the Heat’s first two substitutes.

– With Jaime Jaquez Jr. following at the start of the second period.

– Pelle Larsson later made it 10 deep.

– Energizing as usual.

– With Okoro and Wade out, former Heat forward Max Strus has emerged as Cleveland’s de facto perimeter stopper.
– “It fits his personality. It fits who he is. Done it before. Done it well. Did it in Miami,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We’re lucky we have another one who is capable of doing that.”

– Strus and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Strus shared a pregame embrace.

– Strus then was introduced last among the Cavaliers starters to a warm ovation.

– Jovic extended his career-best streak to 12 consecutive games with a 3-pointer.