Herro goes on offensive: Garland doesn't play D

Miami's Tyler Herro is known for his offense, but on Friday he defended himself after taking a shot from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland.

On Wednesday night, after the Cavs went up 2-0 against the Heat, Garland said one key to the team's success so far in the first-round series has been to go at Herro on the defensive end.

"Pick on Tyler Herro and take care of the ball," Garland said after Wednesday's 121-112 win. "Don't play in tight spaces and pick on their weak defenders."

Herro got his chance to respond Friday.

"Somebody who doesn't play defense shouldn't be talking," Herro said. "He don't play any defense. We'll see that tomorrow."

Miami will host Game 3 in the series Saturday afternoon looking for its first win. But Herro says the verbal sparring between he and Garland doesn't add any extra motivation.

"I have enough fuel in me, in this locker room, around the organization, in the building, I don't need any fuel from that guy over there."

Herro however said he isn't concerned with the Cavaliers' apparent defensive strategy to target him.

"The game plan is the game plan. There was some back and forth between me and Darius on the court," Herro said. "To go to the media to talk about game plan 'this or that' kind of says a lot about him. I'm not worried about Darius Garland. I'm worried about winning a playoff game, and that's what we came back to Miami to do, to win two at home. I'm not too [concerned] with what Darius Garland has to say about me."

Herro enters Game 3 leading the Heat with 27.0 points and also averaging 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Garland meanwhile is averaging 24.0 points and a team-high 7.0 assists so far in the series. Both players were Eastern Conference All-Stars this season.