Udonis Haslem is back!

After a five and a half months layoff following a foot fracture sustained on November 20, the Miami Heat power forward returned in just the right moment to help his team tie its series 1-1 with the Chicago Bulls after winning Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 85-75.

Haslem contributed 13 points, five rebounds and two assists for the game but it was his inspiring play in the 3rd quarter that helped turn the tide in Miami’s favor.

He had two ferocious fast-break dunks over Keith Bogans and Derrick Rose, two jumpers and brilliant help defense as the Heat built a double-digit lead that they hung on to despite a furious Chicago comeback in the fourth quarter.

Due to Joel Anthony’s early foul trouble and Juwan Howard’s ineffectiveness (and the fact that, for the second straight game, Spoelstra had left Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Erick Dampier, and their 73 combined starts, on the inactive list), Spoelstra needed to test the waters with Haslem, and he responded with a solid second-quarter turn.

With the win, Miami has wrestled the home-court advantage away from Chicago.

Game 3 is on Sunday, May 22 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

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Tags: 2011 NBA playoffs, chicago bulls, miami heat, udonis haslem