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Udonis Haslem: 'Draymond broke the code' saying Warriors would face Celtics in NBA Finals

BOSTON — Miami Heat longtime forward Udonis Haslem took exception to Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green stating the Western Conference champs would end up facing the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Led by Jimmy Butler’s 47 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals, the Heat shocked the basketball community by stealing Game 6 on Friday to extend the series to a Game 7 on Sunday in Miami.

Green made the remark on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” postgame show Thursday night following the Warriors defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

“Draymond broke the code,” Haslem told Yahoo Sports after the Heat’s 111-103 victory. “You ain’t supposed to say some s*** like that. That’s disrespectful. He know better than that.”

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem said Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green
Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem said Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green "broke the code" when Green said the Warriors would face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Shaquille O’Neal asked Green on “Inside the NBA” who he would like to face in the Finals, and the All-Defensive second-team member proceeded to break down the strengths of each Eastern Conference opponent. O’Neal interrupted, urging him to answer the question.

“I’m going to tell you who I think we’re going to play. We’re going to play Boston,” Green responded. “That’s who we’re going to play.”

“He let Shaq peer pressure him into saying some s*** he ain’t got no business saying,” Haslem told Yahoo Sports. “I didn’t sleep much after he said that. That was some bulls***.”

Multiple Heat players said they felt Green crossed the line.

“I don’t know what part of the game is that,” Heat forward P.J. Tucker told Yahoo Sports of Green’s comment. “A player picking a team before they’re out. That’s crazy, bro.”

The NBA Finals begin June 2 in San Francisco. The Warriors and Green await their opponent.

“We’re going home [for Game 7],” Haslem told Yahoo Sports. “We did what we were supposed to do. Don’t ever count us out.”

Members of Miami Heat bench react against the Boston Celtics during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final on May 27, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston. The Heat won to force Game 7 back in Miami. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Members of Miami Heat bench react against the Boston Celtics during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final on May 27, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston. The Heat won to force Game 7 back in Miami. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)