Southeast Notes: Herro, Beal, Heat, Gafford

Heat guard Tyler Herro is continuing to adjust to a bench role after starting in his first 14 games this season, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes.

Herro, who plays behind Victor Oladipo and Duncan Robinson, remains an important part of Miami’s offense and often serves as a much-needed spark off the bench.

“I think I can provide scoring off the bench, just come in with energy and try to really bring energy to the team and just try to keep going once that second unit comes in,” Herro said. “We got a lot of guys who can score, a lot of guys who can play. So once I get in, just try to keep the flow going and try to keep the rhythm of the team going.”

Herro also tends to finish games for Miami despite coming off the bench — which remains the better fit for him and the team. In 41 contests this season, the 21-year-old has averaged 15.6 points, five rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest.

There’s more from the Southeast Division today:

• Wizards star Bradley Beal is dealing with some nerve issues in his hip, as relayed by Mike Deprisco of NBC Sports Washington. Beal missed five straight games with a hip contusion before returning on Wednesday, recording 26 points and five assists in a win over the Magic. “It’s a little worse than a contusion. I got a little nerve stuff going on too,” Beal said. “It’s a matter of just every day, keeping the symptoms down and being able to duke it out. I feel if I can push through some things and be able to tolerate and move comfortably, then I’ll give it a go.”
• The Heat could fill their 15th roster spot and stay below the luxury tax as of April 19, Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (Twitter link). Miami filled its 14th roster spot by signing veteran center Dewayne Dedmon to a rest-of-season contract this week. The team is now roughly $314K below the tax, according to Marks.
• Wizards center Daniel Gafford had a nice workout earlier this week, Fred Katz of The Athletic tweets. Gafford has missed the team’s last five games due to a sprained right ankle. There remains no timetable on the 22-year-old’s return, according to coach Scott Brooks.