BBNBA: Tyler Herro's Heat take advantage of Embiid-less Philly team

We’re now one game into all of the NBA’s conference semifinal matchups — and they should all be exciting the rest of the way. Monday night featured two games with several former Wildcats battling to take Game 1. Let’s find out who was successful:

Heat take Game 1 with big help from Herro

Former Wildcat Tyler Herro has been battling a non-COVID respiratory illness over the weekend, causing him to be listed as questionable for Monday night’s game. There was no question come game time, though. Herro was ready to play. The 22-year-old led his team off the bench with 25 points and seven assists as the Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 106-92.

He wasn’t the only John Calipari product who showed up. Bam Adebayo racked up 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the contest. Jimmy Butler added 15 of his own while P.J. Tucker and Gabe Vincent each put up 10 apiece. It wasn’t a particularly great shooting night for Miami, either. They shot a respectable 40-of-92 from the field (43.5%), but just 9-of-36 from the 3-point line (25.0%). Tyler Herro himself made four of those nine 3-pointers.

Tyler came in off the bench on a mission last night pic.twitter.com/i5ZTc1IUY9

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 3, 2022

Tobias Harris led Philly with 27 points. Tyrese Maxey has been a rising star these Playoffs, but had a tough shooting night. He was 6-of-15 from the field and just 1-of-6 from the 3-point line. Regardless, he scored the second-most points with 19. James Harden had a disappointing night with just 16, but he did manage to rack up nine rebounds and five assists.

The 76ers were without star big-man Joel Embiid, who is recovering from a orbital fracture and concussion suffered in Toronto last week. He is not expected to play in Game 2 but will be reevaluated Wednesday.

Booker/Ayton duo overcome Doncic’s hot night

The top-seeded Phoenix Suns dominated their regular season schedule. The Suns went 64-18, winning as many as 18 straight at one point. The first round of their postseason run looked a little different, though. The Suns struggled against the Pelicans, thanks in part to Devin Booker‘s hamstring strain suffered in Game 2 of that series. Regardless, Booker is back and so are the Suns. On Monday night, they took Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks 121-114.

Deandre Ayton led the team with 25 points. Booker came next with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Despite the impressive stat line, it wasn’t his best shooting night. He was only 1-of-5 from the 3-point line. Chris Paul put up 19 points of his own. Cameron Johnson came off the bench to add 17, along with five rebounds.

Beautiful Book basketball. pic.twitter.com/QFQTdzrtgd

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 3, 2022

Luke Doncic put up a blazing 45 points for Dallas, along with 12 rebounds and eight assists. He shot 50% from the field, but could only make four of his 11 3-point attempts. Maxi Kleber added 19 points from the bench and was 5-of-8 on his 3-point attempts. Dorian Finney-Smith put up 15 but was the only other Maverick to finish in double-digits.

The Suns never trailed in this one, jumping out to a 9-0 lead to start the game. It was the 10th straight time they beat the Mavericks. Game 2 will be Wednesday in Phoenix.

Full stats from Monday night’s games:

Player	Result	Points	FG (3PA)	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	Turnovers	Minutes	+/-
Tyler Herro (MIA)	106-92 W over 76ers	25	9-17 (4-6)	1	7	0	0	0	29	+4
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	106-92 W over 76ers	24	8-10	12	4	2	1	3	34	+26
Devin Booker (PHX)	121-114 W over Mavericks	23	7-20 (1-5)	9	8	0	1	1	38	+6
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	106-92 L to Heat	19	6-15 (1-6)	0	2	0	0	2	35	-25

Tonight in the NBA:

7:00 p.m. – Bucks at Celtics (MIL leads series 1-0)

9:30 p.m. – Warriors at Grizzlies (GS leads series 1-0)