1996–97 Miami Heat season

NBA professional basketball team season October 2020 Miami Heat 1997 yes 61 21 atlantic 1 2 Pat Riley Randy Pfund Pat Riley Micky Arison Miami Arena WBFS-TVSunshine Network WIOD Eastern Conference finals(lost to Bulls 1–4) MIA The 1996–97 Miami Heat season was the ninth 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, All-Star guard and three-point specialist Dan Majerle, Associated Press Majerle Seems Headed to the Heat The New York Times August 14, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/14/sports/majerle-seems-headed-to-the-heat.html July 31, 2021 Wire Services Majerle to Sign with Heat The Spokesman-Review August 22, 1996 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/aug/22/majerle-to-sign-with-heat/ July 10, 2022 Heeren Dave Majerle Makes It Official with Heat Sun Sentinel August 23, 1996 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-08-23-9608220635-story.html January 30, 2023 P.J. Brown, Sports People: Basketball: Brown Leaves Nets for the Heat The New York Times July 19, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/19/sports/sports-people-basketball-brown-leaves-nets-for-the-heat.html September 24, 2022 Associated Press Even a P.J. Brown Can Strike It Rich Los Angeles Times July 19, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-19-sp-25905-story.html June 28, 2022 Heat Add Brown, Keep Hardaway SFGate July 19, 1996 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Heat-add-Brown-keep-Hardaway-3134613.php June 24, 2023 and Isaac Austin. Patton Robes Riley's Camp Has Little Use for Games Sun Sentinel October 11, 1996 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-10-11-9610100582-story.html December 15, 2022 Patton Robes Austin Fits as Smaller Big Man Sun Sentinel October 25, 1996 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-10-25-9610240531-story.html December 15, 2022 The team also signed All-Star forward Juwan Howard to a 7-year $100 million contract, but was voided by the league claiming that the Heat exceeded their salary cap; Associated Press N.B.A. Rejects Howard Deal The New York Times August 1, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/01/sports/nba-rejects-howard-deal.html June 6, 2023 Asher Mark NBA Rejects Heat's Contract with Howard The Washington Post August 1, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/01/nba-rejects-heats-contract-with-howard/fe5546ac-b7ed-4041-bfda-4991c642dc20/ June 6, 2023 Brown Clifton An Angry Pat Riley Insists the Heat Broke No Salary Cap Rules The New York Times August 13, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/13/sports/an-angry-pat-riley-insists-the-heat-broke-no-salary-cap-rules.html March 14, 2017 Howard then quickly re-signed with the Washington Bullets. Brown Clifton Howard: 2 Deals, 2 Teams, $200 Million The New York Times August 6, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/06/sports/howard-2-deals-2-teams-200-million.html May 12, 2022 Asher Mark Howard's End a Mystery Even with Bullet Signing Los Angeles Times August 6, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-06-sp-31765-story.html June 6, 2023 Nakamura David If You Can't Stand the Heat... The Washington Post August 6, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/06/if-you-cant-stand-the-heat/332370d2-32d1-4da1-9c1d-d2113292223c/ June 30, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Majerle, Brown and Austin, the Heat got off to a 5–4 start to the regular season, but then posted a nine-game winning streak between November and December afterwards. The team posted a six-game winning streak in January, and later on held a 36–12 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 July 19, 2022 At mid-season, the team traded second-year guard Sasha Danilovic, and second-year forward Kurt Thomas to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Jamal Mashburn. Brown Clifton Miami Acquires Mashburn from Dallas to Bolster Its Firepower The New York Times February 15, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/15/sports/miami-acquires-mashburn-from-dallas-to-bolster-its-firepower.html September 16, 2022 Associated Press Heat Acquires Mashburn from Mavericks Los Angeles Times February 15, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-15-sp-29035-story.html December 1, 2022 A Move Forward: Mashburn Sun Sentinel February 15, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/02/15/a-move-forward-mashburn/ June 21, 2023 The Heat posted an 11-game winning streak between January and February, posted an eight-game winning streak in March, and another six-game winning streak in April. The Heat won their first Division title by finishing in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 61–21 record, which stood as the franchise mark until the 2012–13 season, and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference; 1996–97 Miami Heat Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1997_games.html June 21, 2021http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/miami/heat.html Miami Heat (1988-Present) May 6, 2008 May 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150509112905/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/miami/heat.html dead the team also posted the league's best road record at 32–9, while posting a 29–12 home record at the Miami Arena. Head coach Pat Riley was named the NBA Coach of the Year for the third time, after leading the Heat to a 19-game improvement over the previous season. Heisler Mark Riley Coach of Year for the Third Time Los Angeles Times May 9, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-09-sp-57080-story.html July 24, 2017 Riley Coach of Year; Sloan 3rd Deseret News May 9, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/9/19311801/riley-coach-of-year-sloan-3rd January 2, 2023 NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/coy.html November 29, 2022 The Heat had the best team defensive rating in the NBA.https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=1996-97&SeasonType=Regular%20Season Teams Defense NBA.com April 17, 2021 Tim Hardaway averaged 20.3 points, 8.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and led the Heat with 203 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Alonzo Mourning averaged 19.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, and Mashburn provided the team with 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 32 games after the trade. In addition, second-year guard Voshon Lenard showed improvement becoming the team's starting shooting guard at mid-season, averaging 12.3 points per game and contributing 183 three-point field goals, while Majerle contributed 10.8 points and 1.5 steals per game, but only played just 36 games due to a back injury, Winderman Ira Heat Get Back on the Road to Winning Sun Sentinel December 22, 1996 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-12-22-9612220029-story.html October 7, 2022 Winderman Ira Heat Gets Majerle Back Sun Sentinel April 2, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-04-02-9704030181-story.html October 7, 2022 and Brown provided with 9.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Off the bench, Austin, who played a role as backup center, averaged 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and was named the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year, Associated Press Austin "Most Improved" Los Angeles Times May 4, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-04-sp-55510-story.html October 3, 2022 Sports Briefly Deseret News May 4, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/4/19310049/sports-briefly February 2, 2023 NBA & ABA Most Improved Player Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/mip.html November 29, 2022 and Keith Askins contributed 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. 1996–97 Miami Heat Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1997.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Hardaway and Mourning were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; Fry Darrell On to the Next Stage Tampa Bay Times February 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ December 28, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1997 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 May 16, 2023 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html November 27, 2021 however, Mourning did not participate due to a foot injury, in which he missed 16 games this season. Patton Robes Mourning Has Sore Heel, May Skip All-Star Game Sun Sentinel February 6, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-02-06-9702060053-story.html October 3, 2022 Tribune News Services Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team Chicago Tribune February 7, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-02-07-9702070214-story.html January 28, 2023 Associated Press Mourning Hurts Foot and May Miss Six Weeks The New York Times February 22, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/22/sports/mourning-hurts-foot-and-may-miss-six-weeks.html October 3, 2022 Hardaway also finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Mourning finished in twelfth place; Kawakami Tim MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness Los Angeles Times May 19, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60282-story.html September 24, 2022 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html June 24, 2021 Lenard finished in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Hardaway finished tied in twelfth place, and Austin finished tied in seventh place in Sixth Man of the Year voting. The Heat finished 25th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 615,160 at the Miami Arena during the regular season, which was the fifth-lowest in the league. 1996–97 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html January 22, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Heat faced off against their in-state rivals, the 7th–seeded Orlando Magic, a team that featured All-Star guard Penny Hardaway, former Heat center Rony Seikaly, and Nick Anderson. The Heat won their first two home games at the Miami Arena, which included a 35-point margin win over the Magic in Game 1, 99–64. Associated Press  Heat's Hot, and Magic's Certainly Not  Deseret News  April 25, 1997  https://www.deseret.com/1997/4/25/19308534/heat-s-hot-and-magic-s-certainly-not/ June 9, 2026 Associated Press  Heat Sizzle, While Magic All But Disappear  Deseret News  April 28, 1997  https://www.deseret.com/1997/4/28/19309066/heat-sizzle-while-magic-all-but-disappear/ June 9, 2026 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: Orlando Magic at Miami Heat Box Score, April 24, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704240MIA.html May 31, 2026 However, the Heat lost the next two games on the road, including a Game 4 loss to the Magic at the Orlando Arena, 99–91. Brown Clifton  No Illusion: Hardaway and Magic Dazzle Again  The New York Times  May 2, 1997  https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/02/sports/no-illusion-hardaway-and-magic-dazzle-again.html June 9, 2026 Magic 99, Heat 91 The Washington Post May 2, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/02/magic-99-heat-91/222ed96c-fdc3-4517-8eb4-e1e78f98662c/ June 9, 2026 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 4: Miami Heat at Orlando Magic Box Score, May 1, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705010ORL.html June 5, 2026 With the series tied at 2–2, the Heat won Game 5 over the Magic at the Miami Arena, 91–83 to win in a hard-fought five-game series; the team won their first ever NBA playoff series in franchise history. Wine Steven Heat 91, Magic 83 The Washington Post May 4, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/orlmia5.htm June 3, 2022 Brown Clifton The Other Hardaway Insures a Heat-Knicks Series The New York Times May 5, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/05/sports/the-other-hardaway-insures-a-heat-knicks-series.html May 12, 2022 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Magic vs. Heat Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-magic-vs-heat.html February 4, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Heat faced off against the 3rd–seeded New York Knicks, who were led by All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Sixth Man of the Year, John Starks; Riley had previously served as head coach of the Knicks from 1991 to 1995. With the series tied at 1–1, the Heat lost the next two games to the Knicks on the road, including a Game 4 loss at Madison Square Garden by a score of 89–76, as the Knicks took a 3–1 series lead. Vecsey George Quiet No More: Starks Comes Out Shooting The New York Times May 13, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/13/sports/quiet-no-more-starks-comes-out-shooting.html January 19, 2022 Heisler Mark Heat Feeling Some After Knicks Roll Los Angeles Times May 13, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-13-sp-58341-story.html February 20, 2023 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4: Miami Heat at New York Knicks Box Score, May 12, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705120NYK.html May 30, 2026 One notable incident of the series occurred in Game 5 at the Miami Arena, in which the Heat defeated the Knicks, 96–81. 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5: New York Knicks at Miami Heat Box Score, May 14, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705140MIA.html May 30, 2026 During the fourth quarter, a brawl erupted when Brown picked up Knicks guard Charlie Ward, and threw him off the court, which prompted several Knicks players to come off the bench during the altercation. Wise Mike Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks-Heat Turns Nasty The New York Times May 15, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/15/sports/not-for-the-faint-hearted-knicks-heat-turns-nasty.html January 18, 2022 Heisler Mark Heat Proves It Has Some Fight Left Los Angeles Times May 15, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-15-sp-58868-story.html September 2, 2025 Adande J.A. Miami's Fighting Spirit Is Too Much for Knicks The Washington Post May 15, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/heat15.htm July 11, 2022 Five Knicks players were suspended, with four of them receiving automatic one-game suspensions for leaving the bench during an altercation, while Brown was suspended for two games. Adande J.A. NBA Suspends Five Knicks, One Heat Player The Washington Post May 15, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/16/nba-suspends-five-knicks-one-heat-player/d39d5f4e-465f-4a14-a2f3-1a130d9e046b/ September 2, 2025 Wise Mike 5 Knicks Barred for Melee; 3 to Miss Game 6 The New York Times May 16, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/16/sports/5-knicks-barred-for-melee-3-to-miss-game-6.html June 10, 2023 Associated Press Stern Says Suspending Knicks Players Was the Right Thing to Do Deseret News May 19, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/19/19312747/stern-says-suspending-knicks-players-was-the-right-thing-to-do/ September 2, 2025 Despite the absence of Brown, the Heat won Game 6 over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 95–90 to even the series, Adande J.A.  Knicks Face Final Exam in Miami  The Washington Post  May 17, 1997  https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/18/sports/dream-or-nightmare-it-depends-on-game-7.html June 5, 2026 Brown Clifton  Dream or Nightmare: It Depends on Game 7  The New York Times  May 18, 1997  https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/18/sports/dream-or-nightmare-it-depends-on-game-7.html June 5, 2026 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6: Miami Heat at New York Knicks Box Score, May 16, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705160NYK.html May 31, 2026 and then won Game 7 at the Miami Arena, 101–90, in which Hardaway scored 38 points; the Heat defeated the Knicks in a hard-fought seven-game series to advance to the Conference Finals for the first time. Brown Clifton Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks The New York Times May 19, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/19/sports/next-stop-chicago-riley-adjusts-rearview-mirror-to-see-knicks.html July 28, 2021 Adande J.A. Hardaway Applies the Heat as Miami Ousts Knicks The Washington Post May 19, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/19/hardaway-applies-the-heat-as-miami-ousts-knicks/2dfdaf0c-6168-4653-901b-7e47796f1f30/ May 30, 2022 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Heat Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-knicks-vs-heat.html February 4, 2023 In their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, 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 Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman. The Heat lost the first three games, but managed to win Game 4 over the Bulls at the Miami Arena, 87–80. Alive for Game 5  Sun Sentinel  May 27, 1997  https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/05/27/alive-for-game-5/ June 5, 2026 Wise Mike  The Heat's New Hurdle: An Angry Jordan  The New York Times  May 28, 1997  https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/28/sports/the-heat-s-new-hurdle-an-angry-jordan.html June 5, 2026 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 4: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat Box Score, May 26, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199705260MIA.html June 5, 2026 However, the Heat lost Game 5 to the Bulls on the road, 100–87 at the United Center, thus losing the series in five games. Wise Mike A Redeemed Jordan Sends Heat Packing The New York Times May 29, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/29/sports/a-redeemed-jordan-sends-heat-packing.html May 12, 2022 Adande J.A. Bulls Get Cooking, Turn Off the Heat The Washington Post May 29, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/29/bulls-get-cooking-turn-off-the-heat/b0ea7d27-da96-4163-813b-d27aa6cb9907/ November 18, 2022 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Heat vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-finals-heat-vs-bulls.html February 4, 2023 It was also the fifth playoff matchup between Riley and Bulls head coach Phil Jackson that decade, with the first three meetings from 1992 to 1994 when Riley coached the Knicks, and in last year's playoffs.2005-12-22 Collision Course: Riley and Jackson Through the Years https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=riley-jackson/page8 2024-05-23 ESPN.com en The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the 1997 NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive NBA championship, and their fifth championship in seven years. Wise Mike A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's The New York Times June 14, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/14/sports/a-fistful-of-rings-bulls-grab-fifth-title-of-90-s.html June 4, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott June 14, 1997 Bulls Get Fifth Element Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-14-sp-3291-story.html July 25, 2022 1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-finals-jazz-vs-bulls.html February 4, 2023 Off-season NBA draft 1996 NBA draft The Heat did not have any draft picks in 1996. Roster Miami Heat 1996–97 #000000 #FFFFFF #A50021 #FFFFFF 35 Willie Anderson basketball G 6 7 190 1967–01–08 Georgia 2 Keith Askins F 6 7 197 1967–12–15 Alabama 8 Isaac Austin C 6 10 255 1969–08–18 Arizona State 3 Bruce Bowen F 6 7 185 1971–06–14 Cal State Fullerton 42 P. J. Brown F/C 6 11 225 1969–10–14 Louisiana Tech 11 John Crotty G 6 1 185 1969–07–15 Virginia 23 Gary Grant basketball G 6 3 185 1965–04–21 Michigan 10 Tim Hardaway G 6 0 175 1966–09–01 Texas-El Paso 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 33 Alonzo Mourning C 6 10 240 1970–02–08 Georgetown 54 Ed Pinckney F 6 9 195 1963–03–27 Villanova 30 Mark Strickland F 6 9 210 1970–07–14 Temple Pat Riley Jeff Bzdelik Tony Fiorentino Bob McAdoo Scotty Robertson Stan Van Gundy https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1997.html March 25, 1997 Regular season Season standings MIA MIA z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Schedule Game Date Opponent Result Heat points Opponents Record Streak Notes 1 Playoffs In the first round of the playoffs, the Heat confronted their in-state rivals, the Orlando Magic. The Heat won the first two games. In Orlando, the Magic defeated the Heat to force a fifth game. The Heat won the decisive Game 5 at home, 91–83. Winning their first ever playoff series. In the following round, the Heat were matched up against Pat Riley's former team, the New York Knicks. After the first four games, the Knicks had a 3–1 series lead. The Heat won Game 5 although the game was remembered for P. J. Brown fighting with Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward. Some Knicks players came off the bench and earned automatic suspensions, and Brown was suspended for the rest of the series. The Heat players stayed on the bench and gained an advantage for the rest of the series. The Heat eliminated the undermanned Knicks in seven games and one of the most heated rivalries in the NBA was born. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat were defeated by the eventual NBA champion Chicago Bulls in five games. Miami Heat 1997 yes #000000 #A50021 Miami Heat First round no yes yes #A50021 #FFFFFF 3 0 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 24 | Orlando | W 99–64 | Voshon Lenard (24) | P. J. Brown (12) | Tim Hardaway (11) | Miami Arena15,200 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 27 | Orlando | W 104–87 | Tim Hardaway (20) | Alonzo Mourning (9) | Tim Hardaway (11) | Miami Arena15,200 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 29 | @ Orlando | L 75–88 | Alonzo Mourning (17) | Alonzo Mourning (17) | Tim Hardaway (8) | Orlando Arena17,248 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 1 | @ Orlando | L 91–99 | Alonzo Mourning (23) | Mourning, Brown (13) | Tim Hardaway (8) | Orlando Arena16,555 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 4 | Orlando | W 91–83 | Alonzo Mourning (22) | P. J. Brown (14) | Tim Hardaway (11) | Miami Arena15,200 | 3–2 |- Miami Heat Conference Semi-finals no yes #A50021 #FFFFFF 3 1 1 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | May 7 | New York | L 79–88 | Tim Hardaway (21) | P. J. Brown (12) | Tim Hardaway (6) | Miami Arena14,870 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | May 9 | New York | W 88–84 | Tim Hardaway (34) | Alonzo Mourning (13) | Hardaway, Majerle (4) | Miami Arena14,870 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 11 | @ New York | L 73–77 | Voshon Lenard (22) | P. J. Brown (10) | Tim Hardaway (8) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 12 | @ New York | L 76–89 | Tim Hardaway (14) | P. J. Brown (12) | Willie Anderson (4) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 14 | New York | W 96–81 | Voshon Lenard (21) | P. J. Brown (12) | Tim Hardaway (6) | Miami Arena14,782 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | May 16 | @ New York | W 95–90 | Alonzo Mourning (28) | Alonzo Mourning (9) | Tim Hardaway (8) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | May 18 | New York | W 101–90 | Tim Hardaway (38) | Alonzo Mourning (12) | Tim Hardaway (7) | Miami Arena14,870 | 4–3 |- Miami Heat Conference finals no yes #A50021 #FFFFFF 1 1 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | May 20 | @ Chicago | L 77–84 | Alonzo Mourning (21) | Mourning, Austin (8) | Tim Hardaway (9) | United Center24,544 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 22 | @ Chicago | L 68–75 | Tim Hardaway (15) | Alonzo Mourning (8) | Tim Hardaway (5) | United Center24,544 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 24 | Chicago | L 74–98 | Voshon Lenard (14) | Alonzo Mourning (9) | John Crotty (5) | Miami Arena14,720 | 0–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 26 | Chicago | W 87–80 | Tim Hardaway (25) | Alonzo Mourning (14) | Tim Hardaway (7) | Miami Arena14,720 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 28 | @ Chicago | L 87–100 | Tim Hardaway (27) | Alonzo Mourning (8) | Lenard, Hardaway (5) | United Center24,544 | 1–4 |- MIA 1997 yes Player statistics Regular 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 gameIsaac AustinC82 17 1,881 478 101 45 43 792 22.9 5.8 1.2 .5 .5 9.7Tim HardawayPG 81 81 3,136 277 695 151 9 1,644 38.7 3.4 8.6 1.9 .1 20.3P. J. BrownPF 80 71 2,592 670 92 85 98 761 32.4 8.4 1.2 1.1 1.2 9.5Keith AskinsSF 78 30 1,773 271 75 53 19 384 22.7 3.5 1.0 .7 .2 4.9Voshon LenardSG 73 47 2,111 217 161 50 18 897 28.9 3.0 2.2 .7 .2 12.3Alonzo MourningC 66 65 2,320 656 104 56 189 1,310 35.2 9.9 1.6 .8 2.9 19.8John CrottyPG 48 0 659 47 102 18 0 232 13.7 1.0 2.1 .4 .0 4.8Predrag Danilović†SG 43 33 1,351 102 77 39 8 486 31.4 2.4 1.8 .9 .2 11.3Dan MajerleSF 36 26 1,264 162 116 54 14 390 35.1 4.5 3.2 1.5 .4 10.8Jamal Mashburn†SF 32 30 1,189 179 111 43 7 428 37.2 5.6 3.5 1.3 .2 13.4Mark StricklandPF 31 0 153 37 1 4 10 62 4.9 1.2 .0 .1 .3 2.0Willie Anderson basketballSG 28 1 303 42 34 14 4 83 10.8 1.5 1.2 .5 .1 3.0Gary Grant basketballPG 28 0 365 38 45 16 0 110 13.0 1.4 1.6 .6 .0 3.9Ed PinckneyPF 27 0 273 65 6 8 9 66 10.1 2.4 .2 .3 .3 2.4Kurt Thomas basketballPF 18 9 374 107 9 12 9 113 20.8 5.9 .5 .7 .5 6.3Martin Müürsepp†PF 10 0 27 5 3 0 1 17 2.7 .5 .3 .0 .1 1.7James Scott basketballSF 8 0 32 6 3 2 0 1 4.0 .8 .4 .3 .0 .1Bruce BowenSF 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 1.0 .0Matt Fish†C 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .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 HardawayPG17 17 701 69 119 27 1 318 41.2 4.1 7.0 1.6 .1 18.7Alonzo MourningC17 17 630 173 18 11 46 303 37.1 10.2 1.1 .6 2.7 17.8Jamal MashburnSF17 17 554 84 35 17 2 178 32.6 4.9 2.1 1.0 .1 10.5Voshon LenardSG17 17 548 50 36 11 3 194 32.2 2.9 2.1 .6 .2 11.4Dan MajerleSF17 2 496 72 43 21 4 136 29.2 4.2 2.5 1.2 .2 8.0P. J. BrownPF 15 15 451 129 10 9 20 122 30.1 8.6 .7 .6 1.3 8.1Isaac AustinC 15 0 287 66 6 6 7 98 19.1 4.4 .4 .4 .5 6.5John CrottyPG 15 0 125 11 11 4 0 37 8.3 .7 .7 .3 .0 2.5Keith AskinsSF 12 0 146 28 7 3 2 30 12.2 2.3 .6 .3 .2 2.5Willie Anderson basketballSG 9 0 120 17 5 4 2 33 13.3 1.9 .6 .4 .2 3.7Mark StricklandPF 4 0 16 3 1 1 0 8 4.0 .8 .3 .3 .0 2.0Ed PinckneyPF 2 0 6 0 1 0 0 4 3.0 .0 .5 .0 .0 2.0 Awards Tim Hardaway, All NBA First Team P. J. Brown, All NBA Defensive Second Team Pat Riley, Coach of the Year Isaac Austin, NBA Most Improved Player Award References External links Heat on Database Basketball Heat on Basketball Reference Miami Miami Heat Miami Heat