On Sunday, the 'Third Man' Chris Bosh, so often overshadowed by Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, offered a reminder to Carlos Boozer - and anyone else who has taken digs at him this season - exactly why the Heat consider him to be part of a trio of key players.

Bosh made 34 points as the Heat ran out 96-85 winners on Sunday to go 2-1 up in the best-of-seven series and said that Boozer's comments had only assisted him.

"It does nothing but help. I think about it when I'm shooting (in practice). It helps me out. It helps me get some extra reps up, to go a little longer," he told reporters.