Heat’s team chemistry key to navigating tough situations

Updated MAY 15, 2014 7:56p ET

MIAMI -- There's a difference between a veteran team and a team comprised of veterans.

The Miami Heat, in their fourth year of the Big Three Era, played like a group in sync down the stretch of their series-clinching 96-94 victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Heat trailed by eight points with less than three minutes to go.

"You gotta keep your cool," center Chris Bosh said. "You gotta breathe."

Miami then went on a 13-3 run that lifted the two-time defending NBA champions into the conference finals for the fourth straight season.

"We've been playing together for a while," Bosh said. "You just rely on each other a little bit more. You know what the dude next to you is going to give. There's a certain pride in that."

There also might have been some chest bumping after holding the Nets to 19 fourth-quarter points on 36.4 percent (eight of 22) shooting. Familiarity, you see, helps at both ends of the court.

"We know where each individual is going to be on the court and that helps so much," said Dwyane Wade, who scored 26 points.

The Nets, too, were a team comprised of veterans. Point guard Deron Williams and forward Joe Johnson were joined this season by former Boston Celtics stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to form formidable leadership.

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Heat's team chemistry key to navigating tough situations