15 mins of Heat! Miami Heat Play by Play Broadcaster Eric Reid stops by to discuss Game 2 of the Heat's first round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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00:00This is the great Eric Reid joining us here on the program.
00:02We got game two tonight.
00:06Cleveland and Miami.
00:07Miami looking to even up this thing at 1-1.
00:10Eric joining us here on the show.
00:12Thanks for the time, Eric.
00:13Really appreciate you stopping by.
00:15Hey, my pleasure.
00:16Sorry I'm a few minutes late.
00:17I was waiting for you guys to call me.
00:19I forgot I had to jump on this link here.
00:21You're never late.
00:23You're never late.
00:24Don't worry about it.
00:26Hey, guys, great to be with you.
00:27Listen, tonight I just want to start with this.
00:30The game is being televised by NBA TV, and that's blacked out in our market.
00:35So if you don't have FanDuel Sports Network, find a way to get it so you can watch game two.
00:40It's the only place to see it in South Florida tonight.
00:43There you go.
00:43We got to get on this.
00:45This is obviously a big one, Eric.
00:47And Tyler was talking about this yesterday.
00:49That Spoh is typically very good in game twos that he needs to make adjustments to.
00:54So I guess from the vibes of practice yesterday, what was the theme that everybody was feeling going into this one that they obviously is going to be critical if they want to get back in the series?
01:04They got to play a lot better in game two.
01:07Listen, this is a high-quality opponent.
01:10They had the second-best record in the league for a reason.
01:12You saw those reasons the other night.
01:15You know, that was an average game for them.
01:17They led the league at 122 points per game.
01:20They got 121.
01:21Here's what bothered me about game one.
01:24They made 18 threes.
01:26The Heat's record this year when they give up that many threes is awful.
01:29They only turned it over eight times.
01:31So it's got to start with much better defense.
01:34You can't give up 85 points to those three guys again.
01:37Ty Jerome was the X factor of game one.
01:40Who ever thought that you'd get that out of him in his first-ever playoff game, a 16-point fourth quarter?
01:47But I think what bothered Spoh and the team most is the effort, the energy level.
01:53They got beat on the 50-50 balls.
01:55They got beat on the hustle plays.
01:56They seem to be sort of a half-step slow, you know, all night long.
02:01And they've got to win those battles.
02:04And they've got to keep Jared Allen, especially, and Evan Mobley off the offensive glass.
02:09That would improve their defense immensely.
02:12And here's the other thing.
02:14Tyler Hero, you know, listen, the guy has been great this year.
02:18He was incredible in the play-in.
02:20You've got to carry that over into this series.
02:22He's only had one career game in the playoffs of 30-plus points.
02:27That was his 37 in the bubble in the conference finals against the Celtics.
02:31It's a lot to ask.
02:32I understand that because Cleveland's a very good defensive team.
02:35I personally feel that Hero's got to get 30 or more for the Heat to have a chance to win any of these games.
02:41He had 17 in the first half.
02:44He and Wiggins both were held to four second-half points.
02:47So, they're your top two scores.
02:49You can't get eight points in a half on three-for-ten shooting from those two guys.
02:55Hero did not even attempt a three in the second half.
02:58Now, they've got to find better ways to get Hero activated offensively and find a way to help him on the defensive end.
03:05Cleveland clearly targeted him, involved him in, I think, 36 pick-and-rolls.
03:10So, there's a lot to work on, and you've got to expect that.
03:14You're going against the second-best team in basketball right now.
03:18Eric, with the size that they have, and like you said, they crash into offensive boards and getting a lot of offensive rebounds.
03:25I mean, is it time for Kalel to, like, yeah, you're very athletic.
03:31You're a very athletic big.
03:33You've got to compete with these guys.
03:35You can't let them push you around because it seemed like there was a lot of times where he was there,
03:41and they just kind of, like, punked him almost and just got him out of the way and had their way with him.
03:47He was kind of lost, Leroy, in that game.
03:49I'm somewhat typical of a rookie in his first playoff game.
03:55He only played once against the Cavaliers in the regular season.
03:58Listen, it's a different level of intensity and energy, and he needs to play a much better game.
04:06He did two early blocks.
04:08I think he only played seven second-half minutes.
04:10He was under 20 minutes for the game.
04:12Clearly, the Heat need more from Kalel and others.
04:15I thought Bam and Davion both had representative game ones, but it's going to take a, you know, great effort.
04:23Listen, just like the effort we saw in game two at Boston, nobody gave the Heat a chance last year in that first round.
04:29It was only one of three Celtic losses en route to their championship last year.
04:34So, yes, it's possible.
04:37You've got to go back to 2021, the first round sweep by the Bucs over the Heat.
04:41That's the last time the Heat fell behind 2-0 in a series.
04:45So, it hasn't happened in a while.
04:47Hopefully, they can avoid that tonight.
04:49But it's going to take, you know, an outstanding effort on both ends of the floor.
04:54Talk to Spoh a little bit about the defense yesterday, the game one defense.
04:58He said they were only in zone about 15 possessions.
05:01He didn't think it was good enough.
05:03So, the defense clearly has to be better.
05:05You can't allow them to play that free and easy, you know, shooting 51% and only eight turnovers.
05:12They showed you why they're the best team in the East, at least during the regular season.
05:16The diversification of their offensive portfolio.
05:19I mean, 18 threes, they were equally effective in the paint.
05:23They got whatever they needed to get in game one.
05:25And the Heat cannot let it be, you know, come that fluidly and easily for them.
05:30But, Eric, before, you know, before he got hurt against that big Bulls game, Pella Larson was playing really well for Miami.
05:39Do you think there's any shot that we see anything at him just because of what he can do to harass guards?
05:44You know, he's a rookie, so it's a lot to ask.
05:46Hey, you changed the things, but is there any chance that we could see maybe a couple minutes out of him if things get off to a slow start?
05:53Toby, you weren't bugging our production meeting a half hour ago, were you?
05:56We were talking about that.
05:59Spoh was asked about that after the practice yesterday.
06:03Listen, everything's on the table.
06:05I think, I don't know if it's going to be tonight.
06:07I think during this series, Niko Jovich and Pella Larson are going to get a chance to try to impact this thing and help the Heat.
06:17Hard for Jovich.
06:18Listen, he hasn't played a regular season game since late February, played a minute 23 of the last game, and looked predictably rusty.
06:26But his size and his skill could be helpful.
06:29And Pella Larson, just the energy and the spark he brings and the defense he plays,
06:34I could see Larson, you know, getting some daylight, maybe even tonight.
06:38So, that is clearly possible.
06:41And for them, listen, you know, Ty Jerome had 28 points off the bench.
06:46They only had one other guy score off their bench, Sam Merrill, who, you know, had a, Merrill had six points in the game.
06:52DeAndre Hunter didn't score.
06:54So, listen, one thing we've learned over these 26 playoff journeys for the Heat is one game has nothing to do with the next.
07:03So, we'll see what storylines emerge from game two.
07:06But the Heat have a lot of work to do on both ends of the court.
07:09But they're an undaunted underdog.
07:12They're eager to take another shot tonight at getting a road win in this series.
07:17Eric, you mentioned Andrew Wiggins a little bit, but I'm curious, what's been your assessment of him?
07:21Because, you know, he had missed so many games.
07:24There are quarters, I watch this guy, and I'm like, he looks like the greatest basketball player in the league.
07:27And then, like, it seems like he floats out, and then it's like you don't hear from him again.
07:31So, just what do you think of his Heat tenure so far, and what do you think they need more from him?
07:38Just aside from the score, is there an intensity that they need from him?
07:41Or any ways that they could just keep him involved throughout the game?
07:45You know, Tobin, it's interesting when you study Wiggins, who's such a solid, consistent guy.
07:49But, you know, with Golden State, for so much of his stay there, he was the third option, where his offense wasn't relied on.
07:57It was sort of a luxury item for them, and clearly helped them.
08:00He was an excellent number three offensive option behind Steph and Clay for a lot of good Warriors teams.
08:07You know, he's more important to the Heat than that.
08:10But I've liked him.
08:11I think the only knock is that he missed 14 regular season games after joining the Heat, and Miami lost eight of those games.
08:18I'm just thinking, you know, if they could have won four of them, they might not have been in the play-in.
08:23So, they need Wiggins to just be himself.
08:26Listen, he was great defensively in the two play-in games, had 20 points in both of those games.
08:33He's got to have games like that in this series, and clearly the Heat need them on both ends.
08:38They need his defense, and I think they need him to get his 19 to 22 points a night in this series.
08:42Is this one of those situations where you have to really fight to be different than the guy you were on the last team?
08:53Because, again, sometimes, like you said, he plays as if he is that third option, and that I'll just get it when I get it,
09:04instead of being that scorer that he can be, and realize that, hey, next to Tyler, you're it.
09:13You're the next guy.
09:14We need you to be that dude all the time, not just picking and choosing.
09:19It seems like he's kind of playing that type of basketball he played when he was with the Warriors,
09:26and that he'd pick his spots.
09:28He, you know, they'd give him his opportunities, set plays for him or whatever.
09:33He needs to be more than that right now.
09:36He was in the two play-in games, Leroy.
09:39Right.
09:39Don't judge him off the last game.
09:41That was not an acceptable game for him.
09:43He only got 11 shots in 38 minutes.
09:47Clearly, he and Hero need to be more involved and more productive offensively.
09:53Or, you know, you can't score 100.
09:55Listen, you score under 110, you're not beating Cleveland.
09:59As a matter of fact, the Heat averaged, you know, a little under 111 a game.
10:07That was 24th of 30 teams in the league.
10:10You know, what used to be great is now, you know, near the bottom.
10:14So, to beat Cleveland, you're going to have to score between 115 and 120 points.
10:18You do the math, you can't get eight points in a second half from Tyler and from Wiggins.
10:26I mean, but here's where you've got to give, the Heat need to respond.
10:29But you also need to give Cleveland some credit and respect.
10:33While they were one of the best offensive teams in the league, first in scoring, second in field goal percentage,
10:38second in three-point percentage, they were also top three in field goal percentage defense.
10:43It's one of the reasons why they are a championship-contending team.
10:46I mean, if you go pick three teams right now that have the best shot to win a championship this year,
10:52it's Oklahoma City and then Cleveland and Boston, however you want to rank them.
10:56So, let's understand and respect the quality of the opponent the Heat are facing right now.
11:01That's the problem with, listen, I think the Heat changed a lot of the narrative about the season,
11:07the disappointing season they just had, by winning eight of the last 12 in the regular season,
11:12and then the two back-to-back road wins in the play-in.
11:16It changed the feeling.
11:18Now you're in the playoffs, all that doesn't count anymore,
11:21and you've got to try to win some games in this series.
11:23But let's see how it plays out tonight.
11:27But got to have great offensive games from Tyler and Wiggins.
11:31And Bam, listen, Bam put together a nice little streak.
11:35He's got 11 straight games in playoff competition of over 20 points.
11:40You guys started the segment.
11:42I came in, you were talking about Bam.
11:44You know, as the years roll on, the numbers and his spot in Heat history gets stronger and better.
11:50He's now the number four scorer, the number four rebounder in Heat playoff history.
11:55And this surprised me a little bit.
11:57His 31 playoff double-doubles tied with LeBron James for the Heat franchise lead in 11 fewer playoff games.
12:05So, those three guys have to lead, and they're going to need help.
12:09It's going to take a great, cumulative, competitive team effort for Miami,
12:13not only to win the night, but to win it at all in this series.
12:17Eric Reid, catch him tonight with John Crotty on FanDuel Sports Sun.
12:217.30 is your tip.
12:22They've got your coverage starting at 7.
12:24Thanks for the time, Eric.
12:25Really appreciate it.
12:26Thanks, Eric.
12:26Thanks.
12:27Hey, we'll enjoy tonight.
12:28And then Leroy and Tobin, NFL draft tomorrow night.
12:31I know you and Vlad got your attention on that Jets pick, for sure.
12:37You guys are excited about it.
12:39After the seventh, I'm not sure if I'm excited about it, but after the seventh pick,
12:42I'll switch back to my friendly neighborhood playoff games.
12:46There you go, Eric Reid.
12:48Catch him and John cry tonight.
12:49We appreciate it, Eric.
12:50Thank you so much as, yes, we have a packed week ahead.