1997–98 Miami Heat season

{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = Miami Heat

| end_year = 1998

| DivisionWin = yes

| wins = 55

| losses = 27

| division = Atlantic

| division_place = 1

| conf_place = 2

| coach = Pat Riley

| gm = Randy Pfund

| president = Pat Riley

| owner = Micky Arison

| arena = Miami Arena

| television = WBFS-TV
Sunshine Network

| radio = WIOD

| playoffs = First round
(lost to Knicks 2–3)

| bbr_team = MIA

}}

The 1997–98 NBA season was the tenth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1998.html 1997-98 Miami Heat] In the off-season, the Heat signed free agents Eric Murdock,{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Heat Signs Murdock to Back Up Hardaway | work = Sun Sentinel | date = September 11, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-09-11-9709100545-story.html | access-date = October 10, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Wire Services | title = Shammgod Signs | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = September 11, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/sep/11/shammgod-signs/ | access-date = September 25, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Wholesale Changes Fit Heat Budget | work = Sun Sentinel | date = September 18, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/09/18/wholesale-changes-fit-heat-budget/ | access-date = September 25, 2023}} three-point specialist Terry Mills,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Heat Signs Terry Mills | work = The New York Times | date = August 21, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/21/sports/heat-signs-terry-mills.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Thompson | first = Jack | title = Miami Signs Mills; Trent in Trouble | work = Chicago Tribune | date = August 21, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-08-21-9708210339-story.html | access-date = September 25, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Russo | first = Michael | title = Heat Signs Forward Mills | work = Sun Sentinel | date = August 21, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-08-21-9708210050-story.html | access-date = September 25, 2023}} Todd Day,{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = Rodman's Special Kind of Contract Isn't Fine with NBA | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 18, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-18-sp-33774-story.html | access-date = September 25, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Mills, Day Get in the Swing | work = Sun Sentinel | date = November 10, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/11/10/mills-day-get-in-the-swing/ | access-date = September 25, 2023}} and acquired Duane Causwell from the Sacramento Kings.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Heat Acquires Causwell | work = The New York Times | date = August 13, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/13/sports/heat-acquires-causwell.html | access-date = January 4, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Russo | first = Michael | title = Heat Deals 2 Reserves to Kings for 7-Foot Causwell | work = Sun Sentinel | date = August 14, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-08-14-9708190265-story.html | access-date = June 27, 2022}} 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.{{cite news | title = Riley Admits Mistake in His Release of Day | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 14, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1997/12/14/riley-admits-mistake-in-his-release-of-day/ | access-date = September 25, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = How Long Before "Mules" Get Tired of Riley's Whip? | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 22, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-22-sp-31723-story.html | access-date = September 29, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Riley Taught Hard Lesson, Fashionably | work = The New York Times | date = October 26, 2003 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/26/sports/pro-basketball-riley-taught-hard-lesson-fashionably.html | access-date = November 23, 2024}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Heat Are Missing the Pat Riley of Old | work = NBC News | date = June 12, 2006 | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/wbna13268251 | access-date = September 29, 2023}}

Despite Alonzo Mourning missing the first 22 games of the season due to an off-season knee injury,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: IN THE NEWS -- N.B.A.; Surgery for Mourning | work = The New York Times | date = September 29, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/29/sports/plus-in-the-news-nba-surgery-for-mourning.html | access-date = September 24, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Mourning Has Knee Surgery | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = September 29, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/09/29/mourning-has-knee-surgery/d53dfbaa-66b7-443b-be5d-5ceb68342acb/ | access-date = February 2, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Mourning Says Knee Still Weak | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 1, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-12-01-9711300060-story.html | access-date = December 4, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Mourning Returns in Heat Loss | work = Los Angeles Times | date = December 18, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-18-sp-65441-story.html | access-date = July 17, 2017}} and Jamal Mashburn only playing just 48 games due to a thumb injury,{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Mashburn Lost in Heat Win | work = Sun Sentinel | date = February 14, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-14-9802140067-story.html | access-date = January 28, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Nidetz | first = Stephen | title = Heat's Mashburn to Have Surgery on Injured Thumb | work = Chicago Tribune | date = February 15, 1998 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-15-9802150132-story,amp.html | access-date = July 5, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Mashburn Injury Changes Options | work = Sun Sentinel | date = February 15, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-15-9802140231-story.html | access-date = October 6, 2022}} 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 mid-season to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Brent Barry,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = N.B.A.: TRADES; Miami Acquires Brent Barry | work = The New York Times | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/20/sports/nba-trades-miami-acquires-brent-barry.html | access-date = July 26, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-20-sp-21072-story.html | access-date = December 4, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal | work = Chicago Tribune | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200078-story.html | access-date = June 21, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Austin Heads West - to L.A. | work = Sun Sentinel | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200033-story.html | access-date = December 1, 2022}} 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.{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 | access-date = July 19, 2022}} The Heat finished in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 55–27 record.{{cite web | title = 1997–98 Miami Heat Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1998_games.html | access-date = June 21, 2021}}

Tim Hardaway averaged 18.9 points, 8.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, led the Heat with 155 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, New York,{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored | work = Los Angeles Times | date = January 28, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-28-sp-13049-story.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 1998 NBA All-Star Recap | publisher = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1998 | access-date = May 16, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 1997–98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York | website = Eskimo North | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/all-star98.txt | access-date = December 27, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html | access-date = November 27, 2021}} 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.{{cite web | title = 1997–98 Miami Heat Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1998.html | access-date = June 21, 2021}} Hardaway also finished in sixth place in Most Valuable Player voting,{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Is Winner of M.V.P. a 5th Time | work = The New York Times | date = May 19, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/19/sports/the-nba-playoffs-jordan-is-winner-of-mvp-a-5th-time.html | access-date = September 23, 2022}}{{cite web | last = Bender | first = Patricia | title = 1997–98 Regular Season Award Winners | website = Eskimo.com | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards98.html | access-date = December 30, 2024}}{{cite web | title = 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}} while Riley finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Heat had the sixth best team defensive rating in the NBA.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=1997-98&SeasonType=Regular%20Season|title=Teams Defense|work=NBA.com|access-date=April 16, 2021}}

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,{{cite news | last = Nobles | first = Charlie | title = THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Heat Looks for Positives Amid a Garden Crowd | work = The New York Times | date = April 28, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/28/sports/the-nba-playoffs-heat-looks-for-positives-amid-a-garden-crowd.html | access-date = July 11, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Injured Groin Keeps Majerle on Sideline | work = Sun Sentinel | date = April 29, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-04-29-9804280340-story.html | access-date = October 6, 2022}} the Heat would take a 2–1 lead in the series.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = THE NBA PLAYOFFS; Knicks Cave In, and a Season's on the Brink | work = The New York Times | date = April 29, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/sports/the-nba-playoffs-knicks-cave-in-and-a-season-s-on-the-brink.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Hyde | first = Dave | title = Heat Finds a Way to Finally Silence New Yorkers | work = Sun Sentinel | date = April 29, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-04-29-9804290045-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Heat Is On Knicks in Game 4 | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = April 30, 1998 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1998-04-30-9804300345-story.html | access-date = February 20, 2023}} 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.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Knicks Win in a Fight to the Finish | work = The New York Times | date = May 1, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/01/sports/the-nba-playoffs-knicks-win-in-a-fight-to-the-finish.html | access-date = May 16, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks, Heat Slug It Out Again | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 1, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-01-sp-45244-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Suspensions, Again, Hit Knicks and Heat After N.B.A. Melee | work = The New York Times | date = May 2, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/02/sports/the-nba-playoffs-suspensions-again-hit-knicks-and-heat-after-nba-melee.html | access-date = July 17, 2021}}{{cite news | last = | first = | title = Johnson, Mourning Suspended | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 2, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/05/02/johnson-mourning-suspended/06d47f49-e1ad-40ed-90f8-b51b7efd6c64/ | access-date = May 30, 2022}} Without Mourning, the Heat would lose Game 5 at the Miami Arena, 98–81.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Staying Serene Under Pressure, the Knicks Oust Miami | work = The New York Times | date = May 4, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/04/sports/the-nba-playoffs-staying-serene-under-pressure-the-knicks-oust-miami.html | access-date = October 13, 2017}}{{cite news | last = Hyde | first = Dave | title = Down and Out | work = Sun Sentinel | date = May 4, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-05-04-9805030180-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Bembry | first = Jerry | title = Avenging Knicks Oust Heat with Mourning Out, N.Y. Prevails, 98-81 | work = The Baltimore Sun | date = May 4, 1998 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-05-04-1998124099-story.html | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Heat | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-heat.html | access-date = February 3, 2023}}

Following the season, Barry, who did not play in the playoffs due to an ankle injury after playing 17 games with the Heat,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Two Heat Players Sidelined | work = Los Angeles Times | date = April 18, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-18-sp-40594-story.html | access-date = December 15, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Small Forward a Worry Heading Into Playoffs | work = Sun Sentinel | date = April 18, 1998 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-04-18-9804180057-story.html | access-date = December 15, 2022}} signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls,{{cite news | last = | first = | title = PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Chicago Acquires Brent Barry | work = The New York Times | date = January 26, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/26/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-chicago-acquires-brent-barry.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last = | first = | title = Brent Barry Signs with Bulls | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = January 26, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/26/brent-barry-signs-with-bulls/4f31dabb-5396-4ce2-a040-a1415888efec/ | access-date = January 9, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = This Signing Just What Bulls Needed | work = Chicago Tribune | date = January 26, 1999 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-26-9901260103-story,amp.html | access-date = October 14, 2021}} and Murdock signed with the New Jersey Nets.{{cite news | last = Popper | first = Steve | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Bring in Murdock as Douglas Departs | work = The New York Times | date = January 21, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/21/sports/pro-basketball-nets-bring-in-murdock-as-douglas-departs.html | access-date = November 16, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title | work = The New York Times | date = February 4, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}}