1991–92 Miami Heat season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Miami Heat 1992 38 44 Atlantic 4 8 Kevin Loughery Lewis Schaffel Ted Arison Billy Cunningham Lewis Schaffel Miami Arena WBFS-TV SportsChannel Florida(Eric Reid, Dave Wohl) WQAM(Eric Reid, Dave Wohl)WRFM(Jose Paneda, Jorge Cunill) First round(lost to Bulls 0–3) MIA The 1991–92 Miami Heat season was the fourth 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 The Heat received the fifth overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Steve Smith out of Michigan State University. Goldaper Sam Basketball: Hornets Make Johnson No. 1 Pick in the Draft The New York Times June 27, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/27/sports/basketball-hornets-make-johnson-no-1-pick-in-the-draft.html October 14, 2021 Heisler Mark Beyond 6 Players, It's a Reach: NBA Draft: Three UNLV Players Are Selected in the First Round, Including Larry Johnson as No. 1 by the Hornets Los Angeles Times June 27, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-27-sp-2168-story.html July 10, 2025 1991 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1991.html July 1, 2025 During the off-season, the team hired Kevin Loughery as their new head coach. Loughery Named Heat Coach United Press International June 17, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/17/Loughery-named-Heat-coach/1664677131200/ December 20, 2025 Staff and Wire Reports Loughery Takes Miami Heat Job Los Angeles Times June 18, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-18-sp-822-story.html December 20, 2025 Farrell Charles S. In Sports, Race Still Calls the Plays The New York Times June 22, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/22/opinion/in-sports-race-still-calls-the-plays.html January 19, 2022 Regular season Under Loughery and with the addition of Smith, the Heat got off to a fast start by winning seven of their first ten games of the regular season. However, the team soon fell below .500 in winning percentage by losing eight of their next nine games, as Sherman Douglas only played just five games due to poor conditioning; the Heat soon traded Douglas to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Brian Shaw in January. Associated Press Celtics Trade Shaw to Heat for Douglas Los Angeles Times January 11, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-11-sp-1607-story.html December 27, 2022 Winderman Ira Douglas to Celtics for Shaw Sun Sentinel January 11, 1992 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-01-11-9201020707-story.html November 21, 2022 Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Injured Celtics Send Shaw to the Heat for Douglas The New York Times January 12, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/12/sports/pro-basketball-injured-celtics-send-shaw-to-the-heat-for-douglas.html December 2, 2021 With the addition of Shaw, the team continued to play below .500 as they held a 23–25 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=6&year=1992 November 21, 2022 However, despite playing under .500 for the remainder of the season, the Heat finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 38–44 record, 1991–92 Miami Heat Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1992_games.html October 14, 2021 winning a tie-breaker for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference over the Atlanta Hawks, and qualifying for their first ever NBA playoff appearance in franchise history. Surging Celtics Win Atlantic Division Tampa Bay Times April 20, 1992 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/04/20/surging-celtics-win-atlantic-division/ December 20, 2025 No Layoff, Playoff O.K.: Heat Back in, But It's in Sun Sentinel April 20, 1992 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1992/04/20/no-layoff-playoff-ok-heat-backs-in-but-its-in/ December 20, 2025 Glen Rice averaged 22.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and led the Heat with 155 three-point field goals, while Rony Seikaly averaged 16.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Grant Long provided the team with 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. In addition, Smith contributed 12.0 points and 4.6 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while second-year forward Willie Burton provided with 11.2 points per game. Off the bench, Kevin Edwards averaged 10.1 points and 1.2 steals per game, while second-year guard Bimbo Coles contributed 10.1 points and 4.5 assists per game, second-year forward Alec Kessler provided with 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Keith Askins averaged 3.7 points per game. 1991–92 Miami Heat Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1992.html October 14, 2021 The Heat also posted a very successful 28–13 home record at the Miami Arena during the regular season, but struggled on the road with a 10–31 record away from home.Miami Heat (1988-Present) Despite a stellar season, Rice was not selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, Florida. 1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1992.html February 16, 2026 Rice finished tied in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Long finished tied in eighth place, 1991–92 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1992.html December 7, 2025 and Loughery finished tied in ninth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Heat finished 15th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 613,583 at the Miami Arena during the regular season. 1991–92 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html February 16, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, the Heat faced off against the top–seeded, and defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls, who won the Central Division title, and were led by the trio of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. The Heat lost the first two games to the Bulls on the road at the Chicago Stadium, before losing Game 3 at home, 119–114 at the Miami Arena, in which Jordan scored 56 points; the Heat lost the series to the Bulls in a three-game sweep. Pro Basketball: Jordan Scores 56 Points, Finishing Sweep of Heat The New York Times April 30, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/30/sports/pro-basketball-jordan-scores-56-points-finishing-sweep-of-heat.html October 14, 2021 Jordan Warms to Task, Hits 56, Eliminates Heat The Washington Post April 30, 1992 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/04/30/jordan-warms-to-task-hits-56-eliminates-heat/5ee6739d-cfd4-42d8-b705-dd69dd8654e8/ July 26, 2022 1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Heat vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-heat-vs-bulls.html April 18, 2023 The Bulls would go on to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in six games in the 1992 NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive NBA championship. Brown Clifton With Jordan Starring, Bulls Make It a Rerun The New York Times June 15, 1992 https://partners.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/061592bkn-jordan.html September 22, 2022 Heisler Mark Bull Reserves Take Title by Horns: Game 6: Along with Pippen, They Go on a Late 14-2 Run That Carries Chicago to a 97-93 Victory Los Angeles Times June 15, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-15-sp-418-story.html September 22, 2022 1992 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-finals-trail-blazers-vs-bulls.html April 18, 2023 Notable highlights On December 17, 1991, the Heat suffered a 68-point road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 148–80 at the Coliseum at Richfield, as the Cavaliers had set an NBA record with the second largest margin of victory in a game. Associated Press Cavaliers Set NBA Record, Beating Heat by 68 Points Los Angeles Times December 18, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-18-sp-476-story.html November 21, 2022 Winderman Ira Heat Is Beaten by 68 Points Sun Sentinel December 18, 1991 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1991-12-18-9102220628-story,amp.html November 21, 2022 Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, December 17, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199112170CLE.html November 21, 2022 Aftermath Following the season, Jon Sundvold was released to free agency. Draft picks 1991 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 5 Steve Smith SG United States Michigan State 2 29 George Ackles C/PF United States UNLV Roster Miami Heat 1991–92 #2C2A29 #FFFFFF #DF192C #FFE100 2 Keith Askins SF 6 7 197 1967–12–15 Alabama 30 Winston Bennett SF 6 7 210 1965–02–09 Kentucky 34 Willie Burton SF 6 8 210 1968–05–26 Minnesota 12 Bimbo Coles PG 6 1 180 1968–04–22 Virginia Tech 21 Kevin Edwards PG 6 3 190 1965–10–30 DePaul 33 Alec Kessler C 6 11 230 1967–01–13 Georgia 43 Grant Long PF 6 8 225 1966–03–12 Eastern Michigan 23 John Morton basketball PG 6 3 180 1967–05–18 Seton Hall 53 Alan Ogg C 7 2 240 1967–07–05 UAB 41 Glen Rice SF 6 7 215 1967–05–28 Michigan 4 Rony Seikaly C 6 11 230 1965–05–10 Syracuse 22 Brian Shaw basketball SG 6 6 190 1966–03–22 UC Santa Barbara 3 Steve Smith basketball SG 6 7 200 1969–03–31 Michigan State 20 Jon Sundvold PG 6 2 170 1961–07–02 Missouri Kevin Loughery Alvin Gentry Bob Staak https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1992.html April 10, 1992 Regular season Season standings MIA y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot MIA z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Playoffs Miami Heat 1992 yes Miami Heat First Round no yes yes 0 1 0 2 |- | 1 | April 24 | @ Chicago | L 94–113 | Steve Smith (19) | Rony Seikaly (11) | Steve Smith (7) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–1 |- | 2 | April 26 | @ Chicago | L 90–120 | Rony Seikaly (26) | Rony Seikaly (7) | Bimbo Coles (4) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–2 |- | 3 | April 29 | Chicago | L 114–119 | Glen Rice (25) | Rony Seikaly (12) | Shaw, Smith (6) | Miami Arena15,008 | 0–3 |- MIA 1992 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 gameGrant LongPF82 82 3,063 691 225 139 40 1,212 37.4 8.4 2.7 1.7 .5 14.8Bimbo ColesPG 81 28 1,976 189 366 73 13 816 24.4 2.3 4.5 .9 .2 10.1Kevin EdwardsPG 81 1 1,840 211 170 99 20 819 22.7 2.6 2.1 1.2 .2 10.1Glen RiceSF 79 79 3,007 394 184 90 35 1,765 38.1 5.0 2.3 1.1 .4 22.3Rony SeikalyC 79 78 2,800 934 109 40 121 1,296 35.4 11.8 1.4 .5 1.5 16.4Alec KesslerPF 77 4 1,197 314 34 17 32 410 15.5 4.1 .4 .2 .4 5.3Willie BurtonSF 68 50 1,585 244 123 46 37 762 23.3 3.6 1.8 .7 .5 11.2Steve Smith basketballSG 61 59 1,806 188 278 59 19 729 29.6 3.1 4.6 1.0 .3 12.0Keith AskinsSF 59 4 843 142 38 40 15 219 14.3 2.4 .6 .7 .3 3.7Brian Shaw basketball†PG 46 23 987 135 161 45 12 320 21.5 2.9 3.5 1.0 .3 7.0Alan OggC 43 0 367 74 7 5 28 108 8.5 1.7 .2 .1 .7 2.5John Morton basketball†SF 21 0 216 19 27 12 1 92 10.3 .9 1.3 .6 .0 4.4Miloš BabićC 9 0 35 11 6 1 0 18 3.9 1.2 .7 .1 .0 2.0Sherman Douglas†PG 5 2 98 6 19 4 0 37 19.6 1.2 3.8 .8 .0 7.4Jon SundvoldPG 3 0 8 0 2 0 0 3 2.7 .0 .7 .0 .0 1.0Winston Bennett†SF 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 1.0 .5 .0 .0 .0 1.0 † 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 gameGrant LongPF3 3 120 15 8 5 0 37 40.0 5.0 2.7 1.7 .0 12.3Glen RiceSF3 3 119 10 5 2 0 57 39.7 3.3 1.7 .7 .0 19.0Rony SeikalyC3 3 117 30 4 1 5 62 39.0 10.0 1.3 .3 1.7 20.7Steve Smith basketballSG3 3 100 6 15 4 1 48 33.3 2.0 5.0 1.3 .3 16.0Brian Shaw basketballPG3 3 85 13 12 2 0 36 28.3 4.3 4.0 .7 .0 12.0Kevin EdwardsPG3 0 55 7 7 2 0 15 18.3 2.3 2.3 .7 .0 5.0Keith AskinsSF3 0 48 9 3 1 0 13 16.0 3.0 1.0 .3 .0 4.3Bimbo ColesPG3 0 45 7 6 3 0 23 15.0 2.3 2.0 1.0 .0 7.7Alan OggC3 0 15 1 0 1 3 3 5.0 .3 .0 .3 1.0 1.0Alec KesslerPF 2 0 12 1 0 0 0 2 6.0 .5 .0 .0 .0 1.0John Morton basketballSF 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 2.0Jon SundvoldPG 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 Awards and records Steve Smith, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team References Category:Miami Heat seasons Miami Miami Heat Miami Heat