Midway through the Brooklyn Nets’ road win over the Miami Heat, Paul Pierce put his coaching hat on, and sat down to give his team a bit of motivation.

Little did he know, the player sitting right in front of him during that speech, rookie center Mason Plumlee, would emerge as the game’s hero.

In the waning seconds, Miami’s MVP LeBron James rose for a dunk that would’ve given the Heat the win. However, the young Plumlee stood his ground and denied James’ dunk, sealing the 88-87 win.

After the Nets won their fourth straight for the season against the defending NBA champions, Pierce quipped that, though Plumlee came through in a massive way late, that doesn’t excuse him from his rookie duties.

“That’s all part of it,” Paul said. “Even though he had a huge game, national TV, big bucket, big block, he’s still gotta come in here and carry the bags and get the towels.”

The Truth’s strong play continued against the Heat, though his scoring load decreased in the defensive battle. After netting 19 or more points in the previous three meetings with Miami this year, Paul recorded 14 plus four boards, two blocks, two steals and an assist. He is now just five points shy of 25,000 for his career.

The night included a tough, driving and-one layup in the second quarter, shortly after his pep talk on the bench. He also knocked down a three to break a tie and force a Miami timeout in the fourth.

However, this time around, no heroics from the man wearing “The Truth” nickname on the back of his jersey were needed. In addition to his game-sealing block, Plumlee also recorded what proved to be the game-winning bucket down low off a feed from Deron Williams.

Plumlee was largely expected to spend some time in the Developmental League this season, but in the absence of Brooklyn’s All-Star center Brook Lopez, the former Duke star has blossomed remarkably in his first year.

“He’s maturing, and the good thing about him: he listens,” Pierce said of Plumlee. “He has an open ear to all the veterans on this team, and it shows. He’s coachable. He gets his work in, and he’s improving every night, and that’s what we need from him.”

Paul also hinted that the Nets are going to need every bit from Plumlee, as well as the other players on the roster both young and old, going forward.

After sweeping the Heat for the season, The Truth revealed that, if the Nets are going to play for an NBA title, that road will almost certainly go through Miami.

“We’ve got to see where the seedings are … it can change any given minute,” No. 34 said. “But we know if we’re going to try to win the championship this year we’re probably going to have to go through Miami.”

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