1992–93 Miami Heat season explained

The 1992–93 NBA season was the fifth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA).^[1] In the 1992 NBA draft, the Heat selected Harold Miner from the University of Southern California with the twelfth overall pick.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} During the off-season, the Heat acquired John Salley from the Detroit Pistons.^{[7] [8] [9] [10]} However, the team got off to a sluggish 10–25 start as they were bitten by the injury bug, with most notably second-year guard Steve Smith missing the first 31 games of the season with a knee injury.^{[11] [12] [13] [14]} Meanwhile, Kevin Edwards only played just 40 games, and was benched after starting in 30 of them,^{[15] [16] [17]} and Willie Burton only played just 26 games due to a wrist injury.^{[18] [19] [20]} The team held an 18–31 record at the All-Star break.^[21]

With Smith back in the lineup, the Heat played solid basketball in February and March winning 18 of 28 games. Ultimately, they were not able to capitalize on the momentum of their first playoff appearance last year, and ended up losing six of their final seven games. They ended up finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division, and 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 36–46 record,^[22] finishing five games behind the 8th-seeded Indiana Pacers, who defeated the Heat, 94–88 at Market Square Arena on the final day of the regular season to gain the final playoff spot in the East.^{[23] [24] [25] [26]}

Glen Rice led the team in scoring averaging 19.0 points per game, while Rony Seikaly averaged 17.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, and Smith provided the team with 16.0 points and 5.6 assists per game in 48 games. In addition, Grant Long averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, while Edwards contributed 13.9 points and 1.7 steals per game, Bimbo Coles provided with 10.6 points and 4.6 assists per game, and Miner contributed 10.3 points per game off the bench,^[27] and won the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.^{[28] [29] [30] [31]}

Following the season, Edwards, one of the few players left from the team's inaugural season, signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets.^{[32] [33] [34]}

Draft picks

See main article: 1992 NBA draft.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	12		SG		USC
2	37		SF		Arkansas
2	42		C		Georgia Tech

Regular season

Season standings

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1992–93 NBA records
width=100	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	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	—	2–2	3–2	2–2	0–5	1–1	2–0	2–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	3–2	2–0	1–3	2–2	1–3	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2
Boston	2–2	—	3–1	1–3	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–4	3–2	4–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	4–1
Charlotte	2–3	1–3	—	2–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–0	0–2	0–5	1–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	3–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0
Chicago	2–2	3–1	3–2	—	2–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	5–0	2–0	0–2	3–1	4–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	4–0
Cleveland	5–0	1–3	3–1	3–2	—	2–0	1–1	3–2	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	4–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	4–0	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Dallas	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	—	1–5	1–1	0–4	1–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–4	0–4	0–5	1–3	0–5	1–1
Denver	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	5–1	—	1–1	3–1	2–3	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	3–1	1–4	1–3	2–3	2–0
Detroit	3–2	3–1	1–4	1–3	2–3	1–1	1–1	—	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–0
Golden State	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–0	1–3	2–0	—	2–2	0–2	2–3	1–4	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–4	0–5	4–1	3–1	1–4	3–1	1–1
Houston	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–1	3–2	1–1	2–2	—	2–0	4–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	4–0	4–1	1–3	4–1	1–1
Indiana	2–2	2–2	5–0	0–5	0–4	1–1	1–1	2–3	2–0	0–2	—	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	0–2	3–1
L.A. Clippers	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	2–2	1–1	3–2	0–4	1–1	—	3–2	0–2	2–0	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–2	2–3	3–2	0–4	1–4	2–2	2–0
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	3–1	3–1	1–1	4–1	1–3	1–1	2–3	—	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–5	3–2	3–2	2–2	1–4	1–3	2–0
Miami	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–0	3–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	2–0	—	2–2	2–0	2–3	0–5	3–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–3
Milwaukee	2–3	2–2	1–3	1–4	1–4	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	—	1–1	0–4	1–3	2–2	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–3
Minnesota	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–1	2–3	1–1	1–3	2–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	—	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–3	1–4	0–4	1–4	1–1
New Jersey	3–1	0–4	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	2–0	3–2	4–0	1–1	—	1–3	3–2	3–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–1
New York	2–2	4–1	3–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	1–1	3–1	0–2	2–0	5–0	3–1	2–0	3–1	—	2–2	5–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	4–1
Orlando	3–1	2–3	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	2–3	2–2	2–0	2–3	2–2	—	3–2	0–2	2–0	2–0	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0
Philadelphia	1–3	1–4	0–4	2–2	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–3	0–5	2–3	—	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1
Phoenix	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	4–0	3–1	2–0	4–1	2–2	1–1	2–3	5–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	—	3–2	5–0	3–1	2–3	3–1	2–0
Portland	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–1	5–0	3–1	1–1	3–2	2–3	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–3	—	5–0	2–2	2–3	2–2	1–1
Sacramento	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	1–3	0–2	1–4	0–4	0–2	2–3	2–3	1–1	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–5	0–5	—	2–2	1–4	2–2	1–1
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	5–0	4–1	2–0	1–3	1–4	1–1	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	4–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–2	2–2	—	3–1	3–3	1–1
Seattle	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	4–1	3–1	0–2	4–1	4–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–2	3–2	4–1	1–3	—	2–2	2–0
Utah	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	5–0	3–2	2–0	1–3	1–4	2–0	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–0	4–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	2–2	2–2	3–3	2–2	—	1–1
Washington	2–2	1–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	3–2	3–1	1–1	1–4	1–4	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
	SF	82	82	3,082	424	180	92	25	1,554	37.6	5.2	2.2	1.1	.3	19.0
	PG	81	37	2,232	166	373	80	11	855	27.6	2.0	4.6	1.0	.1	10.6
	PF	76	62	2,728	568	182	104	31	1,061	35.9	7.5	2.4	1.4	.4	14.0
	SG	73	0	1,383	147	73	34	8	750	18.9	2.0	1.0	.5	.1	10.3
	C	72	64	2,456	846	100	38	83	1,232	34.1	11.8	1.4	.5	1.2	17.1
	SF	69	1	935	198	31	31	29	227	13.6	2.9	.4	.4	.4	3.3
	PG	68	45	1,603	257	235	48	19	498	23.6	3.8	3.5	.7	.3	7.3
	PF	51	34	1,422	313	83	32	70	423	27.9	6.1	1.6	.6	1.4	8.3
	SG	48	43	1,610	197	267	50	16	766	33.5	4.1	5.6	1.0	.3	16.0
	C	48	2	554	120	14	15	18	214	11.5	2.5	.3	.3	.4	4.5
	SG	40	30	1,134	121	120	68	12	556	28.4	3.0	3.0	1.7	.3	13.9
	PF	40	2	415	91	14	4	12	155	10.4	2.3	.4	.1	.3	3.9
	SF	26	8	451	70	16	13	16	204	17.3	2.7	.6	.5	.6	7.8

Awards, records, and honors

• Harold Miner, NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest Champion

Notes and References

1. Web site: 1992-93 Miami Heat . Basketball-reference.com . 2012-06-01.
2. News: Araton . Harvey . BASKETBALL; Draft Sticks to Program Until the 5th Pick, That Is . The New York Times . June 25, 1992 . December 4, 2022.
3. News: Associated Press . After Big Men Go First, Locals Go in First Round: NBA Draft: Miner Goes to Heat at No. 12. Lakers Take Peeler. Clippers Select: La Salle's Woods with Their First Pick . Los Angeles Times . June 25, 1992 . July 25, 2022.
4. News: Wojciechowski . Gene . Miner Didn't Realize Heat Would Be on Like This: NBA Draft: USC Star Waits Longer Than Expected Before Miami Makes Him the 12th Overall Selection. UCLA's Murray Goes to San Antonio, Pepperdine's Christie to Seattle . Los Angeles Times . June 25, 1992 . May 31, 2023.
5. News: Winderman . Ira . Miner Likes Mike, But Finds 'Baby' Talk Irritating . Sun Sentinel . June 25, 1992 . September 30, 2022.
6. Web site: 1992 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 4, 2022.
7. News: Salley Traded to Miami Heat . United Press International . September 8, 1992 . December 31, 2021.
8. News: Associated Press . SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Enough Complaints: Pistons Trade Salley . The New York Times . September 9, 1992 . January 6, 2023.
9. News: Times Wire Services . Richardson Traded to Pacers, Timberwolves Get Person: NBA: Former UCLA Star Will Be Reunited with Reggie Miller. Pistons Trade John Salley to the Heat . Los Angeles Times . September 9, 1992 . July 24, 2022.
10. News: Heat's Big Deal: 6-11 Salley Pistons Shot-Blocker Added for Morris, Pick . Sun Sentinel . September 9, 1992 . June 22, 2023.
11. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Surgery for Steve Smith . The New York Times . October 18, 1992 . September 25, 2022.
12. News: O'Neal Impresses in Debut . The Washington Post . October 18, 1992 . December 4, 2022.
13. News: Winderman . Ira . Smith Tests Knee; Return Uncertain . Sun Sentinel . December 6, 1992 . September 25, 2022.
14. News: Smith's The Question... If Not the Answer . Sun Sentinel . December 13, 1992 . July 8, 2023.
15. News: Freeman . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Eye Edwards of the Heat . The New York Times . February 20, 1993 . January 18, 2022.
16. News: Winderman . Ira . Victory Limp for Heat Patched-Up Roster Rallies for Overtime Win . Sun Sentinel . April 24, 1993 . September 30, 2022.
17. News: Winderman . Ira . Same Edwards, Different Situation . Sun Sentinel . December 13, 1993 . April 8, 2023.
18. News: Winderman . Ira . Burton to Have Surgery, Out 6-8 Weeks . Sun Sentinel . January 29, 1993 . April 23, 2023.
19. News: Patton . Robes . Heat's Burton Can't Escape Pain . Orlando Sentinel . July 13, 1993 . April 23, 2023.
20. News: Winderman . Ira . Burton Placed on Injured List Again . Sun Sentinel . December 19, 1993 . April 23, 2023.
21. News: NBA Games Played on February 18, 1993 . Basketball-Reference . July 24, 2022.
22. Web site: 1992–93 Miami Heat Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 22, 2021.
23. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL; Pacers Wheel In, Keep Both Magic and Pistons Out . The New York Times . April 25, 1993 . May 29, 2023.
24. News: Associated Press . NBA ROUNDUP: Pacers Edge Out Magic for Last Berth . Los Angeles Times . April 25, 1993 . May 29, 2023.
25. News: Winderman . Ira . Fiesty Heat Makes Pacers Earn Final Berth in Playoffs . Sun Sentinel . April 25, 1993 . January 27, 2023.
26. News: Heat Loss, Tiebreaker Leaves Magic with Scores to Settle . Sun Sentinel . May 2, 1993 . May 29, 2023.
27. Web site: 1992–93 Miami Heat Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 22, 2021.
28. News: Freeman . Mark . PRO BASKETBALL; Youth Movement Gets Prime-Time Hang Time in Slam-Dunk Contest . The New York Times . February 21, 1993 . November 10, 2022.
29. News: Heisler . Mark . Miner Wins Dunk Contest, Plans Return: NBA: Rookie from USC Impersonates His Childhood Idols, Fulfills a Dream . Los Angeles Times . February 21, 1993 . September 25, 2022.
30. News: Cooper . Barry . Heat's Miner Slams NBA Dunk Competition . Orlando Sentinel . February 21, 1993 . April 8, 2023.
31. News: King . Jonathon . Killing 'Em Softly; Rookie Harold Miner Gave Miami Heat Fans a Reason to Smile During a Trying Season, in Which He Slam-Dunked His Way to the Brink of Stardom . Sun Sentinel . April 25, 1993 . December 4, 2022.
32. News: Harvin . Al . PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Get Edwards for Petrovic's Spot . The New York Times . July 9, 1993 . October 13, 2021.
33. News: Patton . Robes . Nets Sign Edwards to 5-Year Contract . Sun Sentinel . July 9, 1993 . April 8, 2023.
34. News: Wang . Gene . 1993-94 NBA Previews . The Washington Post . November 4, 1993 . September 25, 2022.