1997–98 Miami Heat season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Miami Heat 1998 yes 55 27 Atlantic 1 2 Pat Riley Randy Pfund Pat Riley Micky Arison Miami Arena WBFS-TVSunshine Network WIOD First round(lost to Knicks 2–3) MIA The 1997–98 Miami Heat season was the tenth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association. Miami Heat Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/ August 7, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Heat signed free agents Eric Murdock, Winderman Ira Heat Signs Murdock to Back Up Hardaway Sun Sentinel September 11, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-09-11-9709100545-story.html October 10, 2022 Wholesale Changes Fit Heat Budget Sun Sentinel September 18, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/09/18/wholesale-changes-fit-heat-budget/ September 25, 2023 three-point specialist Terry Mills, Associated Press Heat Signs Terry Mills The New York Times August 21, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/21/sports/heat-signs-terry-mills.html January 18, 2022 Russo Michael Heat Signs Forward Mills Sun Sentinel August 21, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-08-21-9708210050-story.html September 25, 2023 Todd Day, Staff and Wire Reports Rodman's Special Kind of Contract Isn't Fine with NBA Los Angeles Times September 18, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-18-sp-33774-story.html September 25, 2023 Mills, Day Get in the Swing Sun Sentinel November 10, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/11/10/mills-day-get-in-the-swing/ September 25, 2023 and acquired Duane Causwell from the Sacramento Kings. Associated Press Heat Acquires Causwell The New York Times August 13, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/13/sports/heat-acquires-causwell.html January 4, 2023 Russo Michael Heat Deals 2 Reserves to Kings for 7-Foot Causwell Sun Sentinel August 14, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-08-14-9708190265-story.html June 27, 2022 However, after only playing just five games for the Heat, Day was released to free agency after criticizing how head coach Pat Riley ran the team. Riley Admits Mistake in His Release of Day Sun Sentinel December 14, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/12/14/riley-admits-mistake-in-his-release-of-day/ September 25, 2023 Heisler Mark How Long Before "Mules" Get Tired of Riley's Whip? Los Angeles Times March 22, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-22-sp-31723-story.html September 29, 2023 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Riley Taught Hard Lesson, Fashionably The New York Times October 26, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/26/sports/pro-basketball-riley-taught-hard-lesson-fashionably.html November 23, 2024 Regular season Despite Alonzo Mourning missing the first 22 games of the regular season due to an off-season knee injury, Associated Press Plus: In the News -- N.B.A.: Surgery for Mourning The New York Times September 29, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/29/sports/plus-in-the-news-nba-surgery-for-mourning.html September 24, 2022 Mourning Has Knee Surgery The Washington Post September 29, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/09/29/mourning-has-knee-surgery/d53dfbaa-66b7-443b-be5d-5ceb68342acb/ February 2, 2023 Associated Press Mourning Returns in Heat Loss Los Angeles Times December 18, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-18-sp-65441-story.html July 17, 2017 the Heat got off to a 14–5 start to the season, as backup center Isaac Austin filled in the void as the team's starting center in Mourning's absence. Mourning eventually returned as the team later on held a 30–17 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 July 19, 2022 At mid-season, the Heat traded Austin to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Brent Barry; Associated Press N.B.A.: Trades: Miami Acquires Brent Barry The New York Times February 20, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/20/sports/nba-trades-miami-acquires-brent-barry.html July 26, 2021 Heisler Mark It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals Los Angeles Times February 20, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-20-sp-21072-story.html December 4, 2022 Winderman Ira Austin Heads West, to L.A. Sun Sentinel February 20, 1998 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200033-story.html December 1, 2022 before the trade, Austin averaged 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in 52 games. Despite losing Jamal Mashburn to a thumb injury after 48 games, Winderman Ira Mashburn Lost in Heat Win Sun Sentinel February 14, 1998 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-14-9802140067-story.html January 28, 2023 Nidetz Stephen Heat's Mashburn to Have Surgery on Injured Thumb Chicago Tribune February 15, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-15-9802150132-story,amp.html July 5, 2021 Winderman Ira Mashburn Injury Changes Options Sun Sentinel February 15, 1998 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-15-9802140231-story.html October 6, 2022 the team posted a 13–2 record in February, which included a 10-game winning streak between February and March, and then posted a seven-game winning streak in March. The Heat finished in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 55–27 record, and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference. 1997–98 Miami Heat Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1998_games.html June 21, 2021 Tim Hardaway averaged 18.9 points, 8.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, led the Heat with 155 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Mourning averaged 19.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 58 games, and Mashburn provided the team with 15.1 points per game. In addition, Voshon Lenard contributed 12.3 points per game and 153 three-point field goals, while P.J. Brown provided with 9.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Off the bench, three-point specialist Dan Majerle contributed 7.2 points per game and 111 three-point field goals, while Mark Strickland averaged 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, Murdock provided with 6.2 points, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and Mills contributed 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. 1997–98 Miami Heat Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1998.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Hardaway was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his fifth and final All-Star appearance. Howard-Cooper Scott Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored Los Angeles Times January 28, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-28-sp-13049-story.html April 20, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1998 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1998 May 16, 2023 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html November 27, 2021 Hardaway was also booed by the fans at Madison Square Garden during the All-Star introductions, due to the Heat–Knicks rivalry. Kornheiser Tony  Please, Michael, Retire the Thought  The Washington Post  February 9, 1998  https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/09/please-michael-retire-the-thought/cc0161d1-d5a2-43d2-8d23-99d732720d4a/ August 6, 2026 Kornheiser Tony Let's Hope That Jordan's Decision to Retire Isn't Final The Blade February 10, 1998 23 https://books.google.com/books?id=_aZAAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=1998+nba+all+star+game+introductions+reggie+miller+booed&article_id=2585,4398658&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiu07Sm6o-PAxUVRTABHSnlO10Q6AF6BAgFEAM#v=onepage&q=1998%20nba%20all%20star%20game%20introductions%20reggie%20miller%20booed&f=false August 5, 2026 Hardaway finished in sixth place in Most Valuable Player voting, Wise Mike The N.B.A. Playoffs: Jordan Is Winner of M.V.P. a 5th Time The New York Times May 19, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/19/sports/the-nba-playoffs-jordan-is-winner-of-mvp-a-5th-time.html September 23, 2022 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html January 2, 2022 while Riley finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Heat had the sixth best team defensive rating in the NBA.https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=1997-98&SeasonType=Regular%20Season Teams Defense NBA.com April 16, 2021 The Heat finished 23rd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 614,861 at the Miami Arena during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1998 NBA playoffs, the Heat faced off against the 7th–seeded New York Knicks for the second consecutive year. All-Star center Patrick Ewing was out due to a season-ending wrist injury, as the Knicks were led by Allan Houston, Larry Johnson, and sixth man John Starks. Despite losing Majerle for the remainder of the series to a groin injury in Game 2, in which the Heat lost to the Knicks at home, 96–86 at the Miami Arena, Nobles Charlie The N.B.A. Playoffs: Heat Looks for Positives Amid a Garden Crowd The New York Times April 28, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/28/sports/the-nba-playoffs-heat-looks-for-positives-amid-a-garden-crowd.html July 11, 2022 Winderman Ira Injured Groin Keeps Majerle on Sideline Sun Sentinel April 29, 1998 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-04-29-9804280340-story.html October 6, 2022 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: New York Knicks at Miami Heat Box Score, April 26, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804260MIA.html June 4, 2026 the Heat managed to win Game 3 on the road at Madison Square Garden, 91–85 to take a 2–1 series lead. Roberts Selena The NBA Playoffs: Knicks Cave In, and a Season's on the Brink The New York Times April 29, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/sports/the-nba-playoffs-knicks-cave-in-and-a-season-s-on-the-brink.html January 18, 2022 Hyde Dave Heat Finds a Way to Finally Silence New Yorkers Sun Sentinel April 29, 1998 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-04-29-9804290045-story.html October 5, 2022 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 3: Miami Heat at New York Knicks Box Score, April 28, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804280NYK.html June 4, 2026 However, in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, Mourning and Johnson, both former teammates on the Charlotte Hornets, got into a brawl in the closing seconds as the Knicks won the game, 90–85 to tie the series at 2–2; 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 4: Miami Heat at New York Knicks Box Score, April 30, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804300NYK.html June 4, 2026 Mourning and Johnson were both suspended for two games. Roberts Selena The N.B.A. Playoffs: Knicks Win in a Fight to the Finish The New York Times May 1, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/01/sports/the-nba-playoffs-knicks-win-in-a-fight-to-the-finish.html May 16, 2022 Associated Press Knicks, Heat Slug It Out Again Los Angeles Times May 1, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-01-sp-45244-story.html November 25, 2022 Wise Mike The N.B.A. Playoffs: Suspensions, Again, Hit Knicks and Heat After N.B.A. Melee The New York Times May 2, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/02/sports/the-nba-playoffs-suspensions-again-hit-knicks-and-heat-after-nba-melee.html July 17, 2021 Without Mourning, the Heat lost Game 5 to the Knicks at the Miami Arena, 98–81, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Roberts Selena The N.B.A. Playoffs: Staying Serene Under Pressure, the Knicks Oust Miami The New York Times May 4, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/04/sports/the-nba-playoffs-staying-serene-under-pressure-the-knicks-oust-miami.html October 13, 2017 Bembry Jerry Avenging Knicks Oust Heat with Mourning Out, N.Y. Prevails, 98-81 The Baltimore Sun May 4, 1998 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/05/04/avenging-knicks-oust-heat-with-mourning-out-ny-prevails-98-81/ May 30, 2022 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Heat Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-heat.html February 3, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Barry, who did not participate in the NBA playoffs, due to a season-ending ankle injury after playing 17 games with the Heat, Associated Press Two Heat Players Sidelined Los Angeles Times April 18, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-18-sp-40594-story.html December 15, 2022 Winderman Ira Small Forward a Worry Heading Into Playoffs Sun Sentinel April 18, 1998 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-04-18-9804180057-story.html December 15, 2022 signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls, Pro Basketball: Notebook: Chicago Acquires Brent Barry The New York Times January 26, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/26/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-chicago-acquires-brent-barry.html October 3, 2022 Brent Barry Signs with Bulls The Washington Post January 26, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/26/brent-barry-signs-with-bulls/4f31dabb-5396-4ce2-a040-a1415888efec/ January 9, 2023 Smith Sam This Signing Just What Bulls Needed Chicago Tribune January 26, 1999 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-26-9901260103-story,amp.html October 14, 2021 and Murdock signed with the New Jersey Nets. Popper Steve Pro Basketball: Nets Bring in Murdock as Douglas Departs The New York Times January 21, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/21/sports/pro-basketball-nets-bring-in-murdock-as-douglas-departs.html November 16, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: A Scrum for the Title The New York Times February 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html June 28, 2022 Offseason Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 26 Charles Smith SG University of New Mexico 2 30 Mark Sanford F University of Washington Roster Miami Heat 1997–98 #000000 #FFFFFF #A50021 #FFFFFF 2 Keith Askins F 6 7 197 1967–12–15 Alabama 17 Brent Barry G/F 6 6 185 1971–12–31 Oregon State 42 P. J. Brown F 6 11 225 1969–10–14 Louisiana Tech 31 Duane Causwell C 7 0 240 1968–05–31 Temple 40 Marty Conlon C 6 10 224 1968–01–19 Providence 10 Tim Hardaway G 6 0 175 1966–09–01 Texas-El Paso 22 Antonio Lang F 6 8 205 1972–05–15 Duke 21 Voshon Lenard G 6 4 205 1973–05–14 Minnesota 9 Dan Majerle G/F 6 6 215 1965–09–09 Central Michigan University 24 Jamal Mashburn F 6 8 240 1972–11–29 Kentucky 6 Terry Mills basketball F 6 10 230 1967–12–21 Michigan 33 Alonzo Mourning C 6 10 240 1970–02–08 Georgetown 5 Eric Murdock G 6 1 190 1968–06–14 Providence 30 Mark Strickland F 6 9 210 1970–07–14 Temple 23 Rex Walters G 6 4 190 1970–03–12 Kansas Pat Riley Jeff Bzdelik Tony Fiorentino Bob McAdoo Erik Spoelstra Stan Van Gundy https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1998.html March 16, 1998 Regular season Season standings MIA MIA Playoffs Miami Heat 1998 yes #000000 #A50021 Miami Heat First round no yes yes #A50021 #FFFFFF 1 1 1 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 24 | New York | W 94–79 | Tim Hardaway (34) | P. J. Brown (10) | Eric Murdock (5) | Miami Arena15,200 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 26 | New York | L 86–96 | Alonzo Mourning (30) | Alonzo Mourning (13) | Tim Hardaway (7) | Miami Arena15,200 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 28 | @ New York | W 91–85 | Voshon Lenard (28) | Alonzo Mourning (9) | Tim Hardaway (7) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 30 | @ New York | L 85–90 | Tim Hardaway (33) | P. J. Brown (9) | Tim Hardaway (9) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 3 | New York | L 81–98 | Tim Hardaway (21) | P. J. Brown (10) | Tim Hardaway (8) | Miami Arena15,200 | 2–3 |- MIA 1998 yes Player statistics Ragular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameEric MurdockPG82 1 1,395 156 219 103 13 507 17.0 1.9 2.7 1.3 .2 6.2Tim HardawayPG 81 81 3,031 299 672 136 16 1,528 37.4 3.7 8.3 1.7 .2 18.9Voshon LenardSG 81 81 2,621 292 180 58 16 1,020 32.4 3.6 2.2 .7 .2 12.6P. J. BrownPF 74 74 2,362 635 103 66 98 707 31.9 8.6 1.4 .9 1.3 9.6Dan MajerleSG 72 22 1,928 268 157 68 15 519 26.8 3.7 2.2 .9 .2 7.2Alonzo MourningC 58 56 1,939 558 52 40 130 1,115 33.4 9.6 .9 .7 2.2 19.2Isaac Austin†C 52 25 1,371 330 87 43 34 659 26.4 6.3 1.7 .8 .7 12.7Mark StricklandPF 51 8 847 213 26 18 34 349 16.6 4.2 .5 .4 .7 6.8Terry Mills basketballPF 50 0 782 152 39 19 9 212 15.6 3.0 .8 .4 .2 4.2Jamal MashburnSF 48 48 1,729 236 132 43 14 723 36.0 4.9 2.8 .9 .3 15.1Keith AskinsSF 46 12 681 101 29 27 12 111 14.8 2.2 .6 .6 .3 2.4Duane CauswellC 37 2 363 99 5 7 27 89 9.8 2.7 .1 .2 .7 2.4Rex Walters†SG 19 0 108 15 14 3 1 38 5.7 .8 .7 .2 .1 2.0Marty ConlonC 18 0 209 46 12 9 5 88 11.6 2.6 .7 .5 .3 4.9Brent Barry†SG 17 0 259 28 21 14 4 70 15.2 1.6 1.2 .8 .2 4.1Charles Smith basketball, born August 1975†SG 11 0 32 8 2 2 1 10 2.9 .7 .2 .2 .1 .9Antonio LangSF 6 0 29 5 1 2 0 12 4.8 .8 .2 .3 .0 2.0Todd DaySG 5 0 69 6 7 7 0 30 13.8 1.2 1.4 1.4 .0 6.0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Heat only. Playoffs Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameTim HardawayPG5 5 222 17 33 6 0 130 44.4 3.4 6.6 1.2 .0 26.0P. J. BrownPF5 5 190 44 4 7 3 46 38.0 8.8 .8 1.4 .6 9.2Voshon LenardSG5 5 186 19 7 1 2 72 37.2 3.8 1.4 .2 .4 14.4Jamal MashburnSF5 3 129 22 9 3 1 31 25.8 4.4 1.8 .6 .2 6.2Eric MurdockPG5 0 125 20 15 7 0 47 25.0 4.0 3.0 1.4 .0 9.4Alonzo MourningC 4 4 138 34 5 3 10 77 34.5 8.5 1.3 .8 2.5 19.3Keith AskinsSF 4 0 58 7 1 2 0 5 14.5 1.8 .3 .5 .0 1.3Marty ConlonC 3 0 46 4 3 1 1 7 15.3 1.3 1.0 .3 .3 2.3Mark StricklandPF 3 0 28 7 0 0 1 9 9.3 2.3 .0 .0 .3 3.0Dan MajerleSG 2 2 62 5 5 4 1 9 31.0 2.5 2.5 2.0 .5 4.5Terry Mills basketballPF 2 0 11 3 0 0 0 4 5.5 1.5 .0 .0 .0 2.0Duane CauswellC 1 1 5 2 0 0 0 0 5.0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 Awards and records Tim Hardaway, All-NBA Second Team References 1997-98 Miami Heat Category:Miami Heat seasons Miami Heat Miami Heat Miami Heat