With about eight minutes left in the third quarter, Miami Heat striker Jimmy Butler felt a tap on the shoulder as he sat on the bench.
It was team captain Udonis Haslem who wanted to deliver a message as the Heat followed in double figures against the Milwaukee Bucks in Friday’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
“For me personally, he literally came up to me and said,” Don’t let us lose this game. Win it, “Butler said.” … For him to have that faith in me is very important. “‘
Haslem was equally instrumental in rallying the Heat to a 115-100 win and taking a 3-0 lead in the series. They are just a win from advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 2014.
It was Butler, center Bam Adebayo and guard Goran Dragic who played games on the pitch.
It was Haslem, the 17-year veteran, who made an impact from the sideline.
“OG is always there for us,” said Dragic of Haslem. “He always encourages us.”
Adebayo added: “The UD took Jimmy and me aside and said we have to be the best players on the field.”
Haslem probably won’t play a significant minute in the postseason, but it meant a lot to the success. He has often led team meetings and there are times that coach Erik Spoelstra differs from the last “Heat-Lifer”.
“Our culture is probably UD screaming at everyone in one of the timeouts and we like it,” Spoelstra said.
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