Q: Ira, besides Tyler Herro having a horrible shooting night, almost every Sixers basket in the fourth quarter was scored while Tyler Herro was guarding the scorer. — Joel, Fort Lauderdale.

A: Yes, they were, as Tyler Herro continually was lined up by Tyrese Maxey. It was a straightforward, simple and effective approach by the 76ers. And that’s the thing, as you note in the first part of your question: With Tyler, it often comes down to whether his offense compensates for his defense. For the most part, it more than has this season. Then there are games such as Monday night’s, when he shot 5 of 15 and was a game-worst minus 15. This well could have been a game that Erik Spoelstra might have turned to Gabe Vincent late, but Vincent was out with a toe issue. And this was the very type of moment that set up as a Victor Oladipo moment. But, again, no Oladipo. For as much as Spoelstra has spoken of tinkering with his rotations in advance of the playoffs, it still could come down to going with late defensive lineups, with the likes of Bam Adebayo, P.J. Tucker, Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler and perhaps Caleb Martin or Oladipo.

Q: Both the Heat and Sixers don’t want to show their full hand. — Victor.

A: Actually, I think absences at this stage of the season are more a factor of the schedule that playing it coy in advance of potential playoff matchups. The 76ers played a late start on Sunday in their loss to the Raptors, so it made sense to sit Joel Embiid amid his back issues, as well as James Harden. The Heat, by contrast, took five days to rest Jimmy Butler, with it making sense for him to return Monday. Heck, the Heat get the Warriors on the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday night at FTX, so that well could mean no Draymond Green or Klay Thompson. That’s just how the NBA rolls these days.

Q: Victor Oladipo missed nearly two years with injuries. Now he’s back missing his second game in a row with back spasms. Can you imagine the Heat making any significant investment in him after the season? — Brian.

A: I could if at the season’s biggest moments he provides the biggest payoffs. Yes, optimally, you would like to see and have reason for playing him in such postseason moments. But all it takes is a few of such moments on the brightest stage for all the thinking to change. In that respect, Victor truly has yet to even start writing his comeback story. But, of course, availability remains a primary ability, as well.

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