Darius Garland didn’t hold back when discussing the Cleveland Cavaliers’ strategy against the Miami Heat. In a rare and brutally honest moment, Garland openly admitted that the Cavaliers plan to attack Tyler Herro on defense during their playoff series.
When asked about the team’s approach to overcoming the Heat, Garland was clear: they intend to “pick on Tyler Herro.”
Such a revealing comment is uncommon in playoff basketball, where teams typically keep their strategies private. Garland’s bold statement not only exposes the Cavaliers’ game plan but also provides the Heat with some serious bulletin-board material. 
However, for the Heat to capitalize on this, they must first find a way to counter Cleveland’s tactic. That might be easier said than done.
Tyler Herro’s Defensive Struggles
While Tyler Herro shines offensively, his defense has been a major liability. This season, he ranked dead last in the NBA in defensive win shares — 191 players rated better than him defensively.
The Heat could attempt to hide Herro on defense, but that’s a tough task, especially against a motivated Cleveland team. If the Cavaliers are determined to exploit him, they’ll find opportunities.
Cavaliers in Full Control
So far, the strategy has been highly effective. After their 121-112 win on Wednesday, the Cavaliers now lead the series 2-0. In both games, Cleveland scored 121 points, showing they can dominate Miami’s defense with ease.
Unless the Heat — and Herro — can adapt quickly, this series might already be slipping away. Garland’s confidence in publicly revealing their plan suggests he doesn’t believe Miami can adjust in time.
The only way Garland’s comments could backfire is if the Heat manage to counterattack. But after two convincing wins, Cleveland looks firmly in control.
