1996–97 Miami Heat season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the ninth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Heat signed free agents Dan Majerle,[2] P.J. Brown and Isaac Austin. The team also signed All-Star forward Juwan Howard to a 7-year $100 million contract, but was voided by the league claiming that Miami exceeded their salary cap. Howard then quickly re-signed with the Washington Bullets.[3] At midseason, the team traded second-year guard Sasha Danilovic, and second-year forward Kurt Thomas to the Dallas Mavericks for Jamal Mashburn.[4] After a 5–4 start to the season, the Heat went on a nine-game winning streak, then won eleven straight games between January and February, and won eight straight in March, as they won their first Division title with a record of 61 wins and 21 losses, which stood as the franchise mark until the 2012–13 season.[5] The team also posted the league's best road record at 32–9, while posting a 29–12 record at home. Head coach Pat Riley was named Coach of The Year for the third time.[6] The Heat had the best team defensive rating in the NBA.[7]

1996–97 Miami Heat season
Division champions
Head coachPat Riley
General managerRandy Pfund
PresidentPat Riley
Owner(s)Micky Arison
ArenaMiami Arena
Results
Record61–21 (.744)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Finals
(Lost to Bulls 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWBFS-TV
Sunshine Network
RadioWIOD

Tim Hardaway had a career season with the Heat as he led the team with 20.3 points, 8.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while Alonzo Mourning averaged 19.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.[8] Hardaway and Mourning were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, although Mourning did not play due to a heel injury.[9][10] Hardaway was named to the All-NBA First Team, and finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting behind Karl Malone, Michael Jordan and Grant Hill.[11] On the defensive side, Mourning and Brown both provided leadership, while on the offensive side, Mashburn gave the team a spark. In addition, second-year guard Voshon Lenard showed improvement stepping into the lineup midway through the season, averaging 12.3 points per game, as Majerle only played just 36 games due to a back injury.[12] Majerle contributed 10.8 points per game, while Brown provided the team with 9.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Austin, who played as backup center, averaged 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and was honored with the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award.[10]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Heat won their first ever playoff series by defeating their in-state rivals, the Orlando Magic in five games.[13] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they faced the New York Knicks, who took a 3–1 series lead over the Heat.[14] Game 5 of that series featured a brawl, which involved Brown throwing Knicks guard Charlie Ward off the court, and with several Knicks players coming off the bench during the altercation, receiving automatic one-game suspensions while Brown was suspended for two games.[15][16] The Heat managed to defeat the Knicks in seven games,[17] but would lose in five games to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.[18]

Off-season

NBA draft
Main article: 1996 NBA draft

The Heat did not have any draft picks in 1996.

Roster
1996–97 Miami Heat roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
G 35 Anderson, Willie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–01–08 Georgia
F 2 Askins, Keith (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 197 lb (89 kg) 1967–12–15 Alabama
C 8 Austin, Isaac 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1969–08–18 Arizona State
F 3 Bowen, Bruce 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1971–06–14 Cal State Fullerton
F/C 42 Brown, P. J. 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1969–10–14 Louisiana Tech
G 11 Crotty, John 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969–07–15 Virginia
G 23 Grant, Gary 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–04–21 Michigan
G 10 Hardaway, Tim 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–09–01 UTEP
G 21 Lenard, Voshon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1973–05–14 Minnesota
G/F 9 Majerle, Dan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1965–09–09 Central Michigan
F 24 Mashburn, Jamal 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1972–11–29 Kentucky
C 33 Mourning, Alonzo (C) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–02–08 Georgetown
F 54 Pinckney, Ed 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–03–27 Villanova
F 30 Strickland, Mark 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1970–07–14 Temple
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 25, 1997

Regular season

Season standings
Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat 6121.744–29–1232–916–8
x-New York Knicks 5725.695431–1026–1519–6
x-Orlando Magic 4537.5491626–1519–2213–11
x-Washington Bullets 4438.5371725–1619–2214–10
New Jersey Nets 2656.3173516–2510–3111–13
Philadelphia 76ers 2260.2683911–3011–3011–14
Boston Celtics 1567.1834611–304–371–23
1996–97 NBA East standings
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Chicago Bulls6913.841–
2 y-Miami Heat6121.7448
3 x-New York Knicks5725.69512
4 x-Atlanta Hawks5626.68313
5 x-Detroit Pistons5428.65915
6 x-Charlotte Hornets5428.65915
7 x-Orlando Magic4537.54924
8 x-Washington Bullets4438.53725
9 Cleveland Cavaliers4240.51227
10 Indiana Pacers3943.47630
11 Milwaukee Bucks3349.40236
12 Toronto Raptors3052.36639
13 New Jersey Nets2656.31743
14 Philadelphia 76ers2260.26847
15 Boston Celtics1567.18354
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents
1996-97 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta –3–11–31–33–12–01–11–32–01–13–12–01–11–24–02–03–11–33–14–01–12–02–02–01–14–01–12–02–1
Boston 1–3–0–40–41–21–11–10–41–10–21–20–21–10–41–30–20–40–40–41–31–11–10–21–10–23–10–20–20–4
Charlotte 3–14–0–0–43–11–12–02–22–02–02–21–11–11–22–22–04–03–11–24–01–10–22–02–02–02–20–22–03–1
Chicago 3–14–04–0–3–12–02–03–12–01–14–02–01–12–24–02–03–12–23–04–02–02–02–02–02–03–11–12–02–1
Cleveland 1–32–11–31–3–2–01–12–21–10–23–12–01–10–42–22–04–01–32–23–01–11–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–3
Dallas 0–21–11–10–20–2–3–10–20–40–41–12–20–40–20–21–31–11–11–12–01–31–32–21–31–30–21–33–10–2
Denver 1–11–10–20–21–11–3–0–21–31–30–21–30–40–21–10–41–10–20–21–12–20–42–22–20–41–10–43–11–1
Detroit 3–14–02–21–32–22–02–0–2–01–13–12–01–10–43–12–04–01–22–22–10–21–11–12–01–13–11–12–04–0
Golden State 0–21–10–20–21–14–03–10–2–0–41–11–30–40–21–11–32–00–21–12–00–42–21–34–00–42–00–43–10–2
Houston 1–12–00–21–12–04–03–11–14–0–1–13–13–10–21–14–02–01–10–22–02–22–24–03–13–11–12–23–12–0
Indiana 1–32–12–20–41–31–12–01–31–11–1–2–01–11–32–22–02–21–31–33–01–11–11–11–11–14–00–22–01–3
L.A. Clippers 0–22–01–10–20–22–23–10–23–11–30–2–2–20–22–01–31–10–21–11–12–20–42–24–01–32–01–34–00–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–11–11–11–14–04–01–14–01–31–12–2–1–12–03–12–01–11–12–04–01–34–02–23–11–11–34–02–0
Miami 2–14–02–12–24–02–02–04–02–02–03–12–01–1–4–01–13–11–32–23–12–01–12–02–00–23–10–22–03–1
Milwaukee 0–43–12–20–42–22–01–11–31–11–12–20–20–20–4–0–22–11–22–23–11–10–20–21–11–13–11–12–01–3
Minnesota 0–22–00–20–20–23–14–00–23–10–40–23–11–31–12–0–2–01–11–11–13–12–20–44–00–41–11–34–01–1
New Jersey 1–34–00–41–30–41–11–10–40–20–22–21–10–21–31–20–2–2–21–32–21–10–21–12–01–10–30–22–01–3
New York 3–14–01–32–23–11–12–02–12–01–13–12–01–13–12–11–12–2–3–13–21–11–12–02–00–23–01–12–04–0
Orlando 1–34–02–10–32–21–12–02–21–12–03–11–11–12–22–21–13–11–3–2–21–12–01–11–11–14–00–21–11–3
Philadelphia 0–43–10–40–40–30–21–11–20–20–20–31–10–21–31–31–12–22–32–2–1–11–10–21–10–21–30–22–01–3
Phoenix 1–11–11–10–21–13–12–22–04–02–21–12–20–40–21–11–31–11–11–11–1–1–34–03–12–20–21–32–21–1
Portland 0–21–12–00–21–13–14–01–12–22–21–14–03–11–12–02–22–01–10–21–13–1–2–24–01–30–22–24–00–2
Sacramento 0–22–00–20–20–22–22–21–13–10–41–12–20–40–22–04–01–10–21–12–00–42–2–3–11–31–10–44–00–2
San Antonio 0–21–10–20–22–03–12–20–20–41–31–10–42–20–21–10–40–20–21–11–11–30–41–3–0–41–11–31–30–2
Seattle 1–12–00–20–22–03–14–01–14–01–31–13–11–32–01–14–01–12–01–12–02–23–13–14–0–2–01–34–02–0
Toronto 0–41–32–21–31–32–01–11–30–21–10–40–21–11–31–31–13–00–30–43–12–02–01–11–10–2–1–11–12–2
Utah 1–12–02–01–11–13–14–01–14–02–22–03–13–12–01–13–12–01–12–02–03–12–24–03–13–11–1–4–02–0
Vancouver 0–22–00–20–20–21–31–30–21–31–30–20–40–40–20–20–40–20–21–10–22–20–40–43–10–41–10–4–1–1
Washington 1–24–01–31–23–12–01–10–42–00–23–12–00–21–33–11–13–10–43–13–11–12–02–02–00–22–20–21–1—

Schedule
GameDateOpponentResultHeat pointsOpponentsRecordStreakNotes
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.[10] 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.[10] 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.[10] In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat were defeated by the eventual NBA champion Chicago Bulls in five games.

1997 playoff game log
First round: 3–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 24 Orlando W 99–64 Voshon Lenard (24) P. J. Brown (12) Tim Hardaway (11) Miami Arena
15,200		 1–0
2 April 27 Orlando W 104–87 Tim Hardaway (20) Alonzo Mourning (9) Tim Hardaway (11) Miami Arena
15,200		 2–0
3 April 29 @ Orlando L 75–88 Alonzo Mourning (17) Alonzo Mourning (17) Tim Hardaway (8) Orlando Arena
17,248		 2–1
4 May 1 @ Orlando L 91–99 Alonzo Mourning (23) Mourning, Brown (13) Tim Hardaway (8) Orlando Arena
16,555		 2–2
5 May 4 Orlando W 91–83 Alonzo Mourning (22) P. J. Brown (14) Tim Hardaway (11) Miami Arena
15,200		 3–2
Conference Semi-finals: 4–3 (Home: 3–1; Road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 7 New York L 79–88 Tim Hardaway (21) P. J. Brown (12) Tim Hardaway (6) Miami Arena
14,870		 0–1
2 May 9 New York W 88–84 Tim Hardaway (34) Alonzo Mourning (13) Hardaway, Majerle (4) Miami Arena
14,870		 1–1
3 May 11 @ New York L 73–77 Voshon Lenard (22) P. J. Brown (10) Tim Hardaway (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 1–2
4 May 12 @ New York L 76–89 Tim Hardaway (14) P. J. Brown (12) Willie Anderson (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 1–3
5 May 14 New York W 96–81 Voshon Lenard (21) P. J. Brown (12) Tim Hardaway (6) Miami Arena
14,782		 2–3
6 May 16 @ New York W 95–90 Alonzo Mourning (28) Alonzo Mourning (9) Tim Hardaway (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 3–3
7 May 18 New York W 101–90 Tim Hardaway (38) Alonzo Mourning (12) Tim Hardaway (7) Miami Arena
14,870		 4–3
Conference Finals: 1–4 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 20 @ Chicago L 77–84 Alonzo Mourning (21) Mourning, Austin (8) Tim Hardaway (9) United Center
24,544		 0–1
2 May 22 @ Chicago L 68–75 Tim Hardaway (15) Alonzo Mourning (8) Tim Hardaway (5) United Center
24,544		 0–2
3 May 24 Chicago L 74–98 Voshon Lenard (14) Alonzo Mourning (9) John Crotty (5) Miami Arena
14,720		 0–3
4 May 26 Chicago W 87–80 Tim Hardaway (25) Alonzo Mourning (14) Tim Hardaway (7) Miami Arena
14,720		 1–3
5 May 28 @ Chicago L 87–100 Tim Hardaway (27) Alonzo Mourning (8) Lenard, Hardaway (5) United Center
24,544		 1–4
1997 schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards

References
  1. 1996-97 Miami Heat
  2. "Majerle Seems Headed to the Heat". New York Times. August 14, 1996. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  3. "An Angry Pat Riley Insists the Heat Broke No Salary Cap Rules". New York Times. August 13, 1996. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  4. "Heat gets Mavericks' Mashburn for three players". AP News. February 14, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  5. "1996–97 Miami Heat Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  6. "Riley Coach of Year for the Third Time". Los Angeles Times. May 9, 1997. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  7. "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  8. "1996–97 Miami Heat Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  9. "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  10. Miami Heat (1988-Present)
  11. "1996-97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  12. "DEFENSE FIRST WITH MAJERLE". Sun Sentinel. April 18, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  13. "Heat 91, Magic 83". Washington Post. May 4, 1997. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  14. "Quiet No More: Starks Comes Out Shooting". New York Times. May 13, 1997. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  15. "Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks-Heat Turns Nasty". New York Times. May 15, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  16. "N.Y.-MIAMI FRACAS RESULTS IN HARSHEST PENALTIES EVER". Chicago Tribune. May 16, 1997. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  17. "Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks". New York Times. May 19, 1997. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  18. "HOT STUFF! HEAT STUFFED". Chicago Tribune. May 29, 1997. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
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