1996–97 Miami Heat season
Heat won first division title and reached Eastern Conference finals.
The 1996–97 season was the Miami Heat's ninth in the NBA. They claimed their first division title, topping the Atlantic Division with a 61–21 record and earning the Eastern Conference's second seed. Pat Riley earned his third NBA Coach of the Year award after the team improved by 19 wins from the prior season.
Quick Facts
- Record
- 61–21
- Division finish
- First in Atlantic Division
- Head coach
- Pat Riley
- Team defensive rating
- Best in NBA
- Leading scorer
- Tim Hardaway (20.3 ppg)
- All-nba first team
- Tim Hardaway
- Nba most improved player
- Isaac Austin
Facts from the source article.
Playoffs
The Heat faced the Orlando Magic in the first playoff round, taking the first two games at home. The Magic then won both games in Orlando, forcing a deciding Game 5 back in Miami. Miami won that game 91-83, claiming the first playoff series victory in franchise history. Next, the Heat met Pat Riley’s old team, the New York Knicks.
After four games, the Knicks led the series 3-1. Miami won Game 5, but the game is best known for a fight between P. J. Brown and Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward. Several Knicks players left the bench during the scuffle and received automatic suspensions, while Brown was suspended for the rest of the series. Because the Heat players stayed on the bench, they gained a roster advantage for the remaining games.
Miami eliminated the short-handed Knicks in seven games, sparking one of the NBA’s fiercest rivalries. The Heat then lost to the eventual NBA champion Chicago Bulls in five games in the Eastern Conference finals.
More in 1996–97 NBA Season by Team
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced