1997–98 Miami Heat season explained

The 1997–98 NBA season was the tenth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the off-season, the Heat signed free agents Eric Murdock,[2] [3] [4] three-point specialist Terry Mills,[5] [6] [7] Todd Day,[8] [9] and acquired Duane Causwell from the Sacramento Kings.[10] [11] 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.[12] [13] [14] Despite Alonzo Mourning missing the first 22 games of the season due to an off-season knee injury,[15] [16] [17] [18] and Jamal Mashburn only playing just 48 games due to a thumb injury,[19] [20] [21] the Heat continued to play strong basketball as backup center Isaac Austin filled in the void as the team's starting center in Mourning's absence. Mourning would eventually return as Austin was traded at midseason to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Brent Barry,[22] [23] [24] [25] as the Heat posted a 13–2 record in February, including a ten-game winning streak between February and March, and holding a 30–17 record at the All-Star break.[26] The Heat finished first place in the Atlantic Division with a 55–27 record.[27]

Tim Hardaway averaged 18.9 points, 8.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game,[28] [29] [30] [31] while Mourning averaged 19.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, and Mashburn provided the team with 15.1 points per game. In addition, Voshon Lenard contributed 12.3 points per game, while P.J. Brown provided with 9.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and three-point specialist Dan Majerle contributed 7.2 points per game.[32] Hardaway also finished in sixth place in Most Valuable Player voting.[33] [34] The Heat had the sixth best team defensive rating in the NBA.[35]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Heat faced the 7th-seeded New York Knicks. Despite losing Majerle to a groin injury in Game 2,[36] [37] the Heat would take a 2–1 lead in the series.[38] [39] [40] However, in Game 4, Mourning and Knicks forward Larry 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 even the series at two games a piece; Mourning and Johnson were both suspended for two games.[41] [42] [43] [44] Without Mourning, the Heat would lose Game 5 at the Miami Arena, 98–81.[45] [46] [47] [48]

Following the season, Barry, who did not play in the playoffs due to an ankle injury after playing 17 games with the Heat,[49] [50] signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls,[51] [52] [53] and Murdock signed with the New Jersey Nets.[54] [55]

Offseason

Draft picks

See main article: article and 1997 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
126Charles SmithSGUniversity of New Mexico
230Mark SanfordFUniversity of Washington

Regular season

Record vs. opponents

1997-98 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta– 2–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 4–0
Boston1–2 – 1–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 3–2
Charlotte0–4 2–1 – 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Chicago3–1 3–1 3–1 – 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–1
Cleveland0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–2
Dallas0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 – 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 1–1
Denver0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 – 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
Detroit2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 2–2
Golden State0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 – 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2
Houston1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 – 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–0 0–4 3–1 1–1
Indiana3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 – 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
L.A. Clippers0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 – 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 – 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–0 1–3 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami3–1 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 – 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Milwaukee1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 – 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–2
Minnesota2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
New Jersey2–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2 – 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York2–2 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 – 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
Orlando2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 2–0 1–3 0–4 – 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Philadelphia1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Phoenix2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 – 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Portland1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 – 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1
Sacramento0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–3 – 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1
San Antonio1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 – 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Seattle1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 – 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Toronto0–4 0–3 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 0–2 1–1 0–3
Utah2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 – 4–0 0–2
Vancouver0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–4 – 1–1
Washington0–4 2–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 —

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| April 24| New York| W 94–79| Tim Hardaway (34)| P. J. Brown (10)| Eric Murdock (5)| Miami Arena
15,200| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 26| New York| L 86–96| Alonzo Mourning (30)| Alonzo Mourning (13)| Tim Hardaway (7)| Miami Arena
15,200| 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 Garden
19,763| 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 Garden
19,763| 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 Arena
15,200| 2–3|-

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
PG82 1 1,395 156 219 103 13 507 17.0 1.9 2.7 1.3 .2 6.2
PG81 81 3,031 299 672 136 16 1,528 37.4 3.7 8.3 1.7 .2 18.9
SG81 81 2,621 292 180 58 16 1,020 32.4 3.6 2.2 .7 .2 12.6
PF74 74 2,362 635 103 66 98 707 31.9 8.6 1.4 .9 1.3 9.6
SG72 22 1,928 268 157 68 15 519 26.8 3.7 2.2 .9 .2 7.2
C58 56 1,939 558 52 40 130 1,115 33.4 9.6 .9 .7 2.2 19.2
†C52 25 1,371 330 87 43 34 659 26.4 6.3 1.7 .8 .7 12.7
PF51 8 847 213 26 18 34 349 16.6 4.2 .5 .4 .7 6.8
PF50 0 782 152 39 19 9 212 15.6 3.0 .8 .4 .2 4.2
SF48 48 1,729 236 132 43 14 723 36.0 4.9 2.8 .9 .3 15.1
SF46 12 681 101 29 27 12 111 14.8 2.2 .6 .6 .3 2.4
C37 2 363 99 5 7 27 89 9.8 2.7 .1 .2 .7 2.4
†SG19 0 108 15 14 3 1 38 5.7 .8 .7 .2 .1 2.0
C18 0 209 46 12 9 5 88 11.6 2.6 .7 .5 .3 4.9
†SG17 0 259 28 21 14 4 70 15.2 1.6 1.2 .8 .2 4.1
†SG11 0 32 8 2 2 1 10 2.9 .7 .2 .2 .1 .9
SF6 0 29 5 1 2 0 12 4.8 .8 .2 .3 .0 2.0
SG5 0 69 6 7 7 0 30 13.8 1.2 1.4 1.4 .0 6.0

Playoffs

Player
PG5 5 222 17 33 6 0 130 44.4 3.4 6.6 1.2 .0 26.0
PF5 5 190 44 4 7 3 46 38.0 8.8 .8 1.4 .6 9.2
SG5 5 186 19 7 1 2 72 37.2 3.8 1.4 .2 .4 14.4
SF5 3 129 22 9 3 1 31 25.8 4.4 1.8 .6 .2 6.2
PG5 0 125 20 15 7 0 47 25.0 4.0 3.0 1.4 .0 9.4
C4 4 138 34 5 3 10 77 34.5 8.5 1.3 .8 2.5 19.3
SF4 0 58 7 1 2 0 5 14.5 1.8 .3 .5 .0 1.3
C3 0 46 4 3 1 1 7 15.3 1.3 1.0 .3 .3 2.3
PF3 0 28 7 0 0 1 9 9.3 2.3 .0 .0 .3 3.0
SG2 2 62 5 5 4 1 9 31.0 2.5 2.5 2.0 .5 4.5
PF2 0 11 3 0 0 0 4 5.5 1.5 .0 .0 .0 2.0
C1 1 5 2 0 0 0 0 5.0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0

Awards and records

References

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1998.html 1997-98 Miami Heat
  2. News: Winderman . Ira . Heat Signs Murdock to Back Up Hardaway . Sun Sentinel . September 11, 1997 . October 10, 2022.
  3. News: Wire Services . Shammgod Signs . The Spokesman-Review . September 11, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  4. News: Wholesale Changes Fit Heat Budget . Sun Sentinel . September 18, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  5. News: Associated Press . Heat Signs Terry Mills . The New York Times . August 21, 1997 . January 18, 2022.
  6. News: Thompson . Jack . Miami Signs Mills; Trent in Trouble . Chicago Tribune . August 21, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  7. News: Russo . Michael . Heat Signs Forward Mills . Sun Sentinel . August 21, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  8. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Rodman's Special Kind of Contract Isn't Fine with NBA . Los Angeles Times . September 18, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  9. News: Mills, Day Get in the Swing . Sun Sentinel . November 10, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  10. News: Associated Press . Heat Acquires Causwell . The New York Times . August 13, 1997 . January 4, 2023.
  11. News: Russo . Michael . Heat Deals 2 Reserves to Kings for 7-Foot Causwell . Sun Sentinel . August 14, 1997 . June 27, 2022.
  12. News: Riley Admits Mistake in His Release of Day . Sun Sentinel . December 14, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  13. News: Heisler . Mark . How Long Before 'Mules' Get Tired of Riley's Whip? . Los Angeles Times . March 22, 1998 . September 29, 2023.
  14. News: Wise . Mike . Heat Are Missing the Pat Riley of Old . NBC News . June 12, 2006 . September 29, 2023.
  15. News: Associated Press . PLUS: IN THE NEWS -- N.B.A.; Surgery for Mourning . The New York Times . September 29, 1997 . September 24, 2022.
  16. News: Mourning Has Knee Surgery . The Washington Post . September 29, 1997 . February 2, 2023.
  17. News: Winderman . Ira . Mourning Says Knee Still Weak . Sun Sentinel . December 1, 1997 . December 4, 2022.
  18. News: Associated Press . Mourning Returns in Heat Loss . Los Angeles Times . December 18, 1997 . July 17, 2017.
  19. News: Winderman . Ira . Mashburn Lost in Heat Win . Sun Sentinel . February 14, 1998 . January 28, 2023.
  20. News: Nidetz . Stephen . Heat's Mashburn to Have Surgery on Injured Thumb . Chicago Tribune . February 15, 1998 . July 5, 2021.
  21. News: Winderman . Ira . Mashburn Injury Changes Options . Sun Sentinel . February 15, 1998 . October 6, 2022.
  22. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: TRADES; Miami Acquires Brent Barry . The New York Times . February 20, 1998 . July 26, 2021.
  23. News: 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 . December 4, 2022.
  24. News: Smith . Sam . NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal . Chicago Tribune . February 20, 1998 . June 21, 2023.
  25. News: Winderman . Ira . Austin Heads West - to L.A. . Sun Sentinel . February 20, 1998 . December 1, 2022.
  26. News: NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 . Basketball-Reference . July 19, 2022.
  27. Web site: 1997–98 Miami Heat Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  28. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored . Los Angeles Times . January 28, 1998 . April 20, 2023.
  29. News: NBA.com Staff . 1998 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 16, 2023.
  30. Web site: 1997-98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York . Eskimo North . December 27, 2022.
  31. Web site: 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 . Basketball-Reference . November 27, 2021.
  32. Web site: 1997–98 Miami Heat Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  33. News: Wise . Mike . THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Is Winner of M.V.P. a 5th Time . The New York Times . May 19, 1998 . September 23, 2022.
  34. News: 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2022.
  35. Web site: Teams Defense. NBA.com. April 16, 2021.
  36. News: Nobles . Charlie . THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Heat Looks for Positives Amid a Garden Crowd . The New York Times . April 28, 1998 . July 11, 2022.
  37. News: Winderman . Ira . Injured Groin Keeps Majerle on Sideline . Sun Sentinel . April 29, 1998 . October 6, 2022.
  38. News: Roberts . Selena . THE NBA PLAYOFFS; Knicks Cave In, and a Season's on the Brink . The New York Times . April 29, 1998 . January 18, 2022.
  39. News: Hyde . Dave . Heat Finds a Way to Finally Silence New Yorkers . Sun Sentinel . April 29, 1998 . October 5, 2022.
  40. News: Povtak . Tim . Heat Is On Knicks in Game 4 . Orlando Sentinel . April 30, 1998 . February 20, 2023.
  41. News: Roberts . Selena . THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Knicks Win in a Fight to the Finish . The New York Times . May 1, 1998 . May 16, 2022.
  42. News: Associated Press . Knicks, Heat Slug It Out Again . Los Angeles Times . May 1, 1998 . November 25, 2022.
  43. News: 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 . July 17, 2021.
  44. News: Johnson, Mourning Suspended . The Washington Post . May 2, 1998 . May 30, 2022.
  45. News: Roberts . Selena . THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Staying Serene Under Pressure, the Knicks Oust Miami . The New York Times . May 4, 1998 . October 13, 2017.
  46. News: Hyde . Dave . Down and Out . Sun Sentinel . May 4, 1998 . November 25, 2022.
  47. News: Bembry . Jerry . Avenging Knicks Oust Heat with Mourning Out, N.Y. Prevails, 98-81 . The Baltimore Sun . May 4, 1998 . May 30, 2022.
  48. News: 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Heat . Basketball-Reference . February 3, 2023.
  49. News: Associated Press . Two Heat Players Sidelined . Los Angeles Times . April 18, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  50. News: Winderman . Ira . Small Forward a Worry Heading Into Playoffs . Sun Sentinel . April 18, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  51. News: PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Chicago Acquires Brent Barry . The New York Times . January 26, 1999 . October 3, 2022.
  52. News: Brent Barry Signs with Bulls . The Washington Post . January 26, 1999 . January 9, 2023.
  53. News: Smith . Sam . This Signing Just What Bulls Needed . Chicago Tribune . January 26, 1999 . October 14, 2021.
  54. News: Popper . Steve . PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Bring in Murdock as Douglas Departs . The New York Times . January 21, 1999 . November 16, 2022.
  55. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title . The New York Times . February 4, 1999 . June 28, 2022.

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