'Ridiculously good': NBA erupts over rookie's historic effort

Tyler Herro is no longer unsung, and his Miami Heat are on the brink of the NBA Finals.

The 20-year-old rookie scored 17 of his career-high 37 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Heat to a 112-109 victory and a 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

'GET OUT': Mother levels shocking claims at Kobe Bryant's widow

ANGER: Uproar over sheriff's $175,000 demand of LeBron James

'MAMBA SHOT’: Lakers win after stunning buzzer-beating heroics

His 37 points are the most by a 20-year-old in the playoffs since Magic Johnson’s 42 in 1980.

Only one other rookie has scored more than Herro and Johnson in a playoff game: Wilt Chamberlain.

“Herro’s shotmaking tonight was the difference in the game,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters.

“Herro was ridiculously good tonight. The rim must have looked like the ocean to him.”

Celtics fans need no reminder that Herro was potentially a coin flip away from being in Boston. The Heat won a tiebreaker for the 13th pick in last year’s draft, selecting Herro, who the Celtics reportedly coveted.

Boston drafted 14th, another win in Pat Riley’s corner against rival executive Danny Ainge.

Herro finished 14-for-21 from the field, converting half of his 10 three-point attempts and salvaging an otherwise abysmal offensive night for Miami. His Heat teammates collectively shot 35 percent.

“I’m just blown away,” Miami’s Goran Dragic told ESPN after Herro’s first 30-point game since high school.

“This kid is unbelievable. He’s not afraid of big moments.

“It’s not the first time he’s shown this kind of a game. We’ve known all season he can ball. You can see he’s an unbelievable talent.”

NBA pundits astounded by Tyler Herro’s performance

It wasn’t just Brad Stevens and Goran Dragic who were blown away by Herro’s heroics - the likes of Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade and Magic Johnson himself were among a bevy of NBA heavy-hitters to praise the rookie online.

“What I love about what Herro Ball is doing... We all know this isn’t just a hot game,” Wade posted.

“This is how he plays the game of basketball.”

Johnson, who Herro earned some comparisons to thanks to his performance, was equally effusive in his praise.

“Rookie Tyler Herro showed up and showed out!! He scored 37 points to lead the Heat to victory and Miami to a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals!” Johnson tweeted.

There were plenty of others giving the Heat rookie props.

The Heat seized a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals thanks to their victory, with a win in game five enough to send Miami to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.

Either the LA Lakers or Denver Nuggets will await after the Western Conference Finals.

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.