"Early Wednesday morning, about an hour after his most significant contribution as a member of the Heat, forward Mike Miller headed to the hospital where he has spent much of his time in the past week.

Miller was visiting his wife, Jen, and baby daughter, Jaelyn, who was born last Thursday with a condition that the Millers have not disclosed.

Miller remained at the hospital until 4 a.m.

"As important as the playoffs or the Eastern Conference Finals are to me, the most important thing right now is (Jaelyn) and my wife," Miller said Wednesday before the Heat boarded its charter for Chicago, where it could advance to the NBA Finals with a victory in Thursday night's Game 5.

"It puts things in perspective. It makes my thumb injuries a lot less important right now."

About 10 months after being the most significant Heat signing outside of the Big 3, Miller finally was a major contributor. In the Heat's 101-93 overtime victory Tuesday, the former Florida Gators star scored 12 points and had a career playoff high nine rebounds in 26 minutes, providing a huge lift at the most opportune time.

The Heat outscored the Bulls by a whopping 36 points while Miller was on the floor.

"It's been a frustrating year for him for a lot of reasons he can't control," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He was planning on being a big part of our success (and) his injuries kept him in and out of rhythm the entire season."

Aside from dealing with an ongoing thumb injury, Miller's mind has been preoccupied of late with Jaelyn.

She is Mike and Jen Miller's third child, their first daughter. Miller said she is "doing good right now, hopefully she'll continue to do better." Jen has been by Jaelyn's side the entire time."