Tyler Herro of Milwaukee, Wisconsin came close to making National Basketball Association history on Wednesday. Herro scored the second most points by a player in a game at 20 years of age or younger in NBA playoff history as the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 112-109 in game four of the Eastern Conference Final. With the win, the Heat lead the Celtics three games to one in the best out of seven series.
Herro scored 37 points. The only player in NBA history who has scored more points in a postseason game at 20 years of age or younger was Magic Johnson of Lansing, Michigan, who scored 42 points in a 123-107 Los Angeles Lakers win over the Philadelphia 76ers on May 16, 1980. With the win, the Lakers won the 1980 NBA Finals as they eliminated the 76ers in six games.
It was a very notable night for Herro, who played his college career at Kentucky. Herro also became the fourth player to score 30 points in a playoff game at age 20 or younger. In addition to Johnson’s 42 points, Derrick Rose scored 36 points for the Chicago Bulls on April 18, 2009, in a 105-103 Chicago win over Boston, and Brandon Jennings scored 34 points in a 102-92 Milwaukee Bucks loss to the Atlanta Hawks on April 17, 2010.
Herro also had the most points by a rookie coming off the bench in NBA playoff history since 1971 according to ESPN. He also set the Heat franchise record for most points by a rookie in a single playoff game.
Herro finished the night by making 14 of his 21 field goals, five of his 10 three-pointers, all four free throw attempts, six rebounds and three assists. The Heat can close out the series on Friday.
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