1997–98 Miami Heat season
The 1997–98 NBA season was the tenth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association. In the offseason, the Heat signed free agent Eric Murdock and acquired Duane Causwell from the Sacramento Kings. Despite Alonzo Mourning missing the first 22 games of the season due to an offseason knee injury, and Jamal Mashburn playing just 48 games due to a thumb injury, the Heat continued to play strong basketball as backup center Isaac Austin played strong coming off the bench. Mourning would eventually return as Austin was traded at midseason to the Los Angeles Clippers for Brent Barry, as the Heat posted a 13–2 record in February. The Heat finished first place in the Atlantic Division with a 55–27 record. Tim Hardaway was the only member of the team to be selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Heat faced the 7th-seeded New York Knicks. The Heat would take a 2–1 lead in the series. However, in Game 4, Mourning was suspended for fighting Larry Johnson, his former teammate of the Charlotte Hornets now playing for the Knicks. Without Mourning, the Heat would lose Game 5 at the Miami Arena, 98–81. Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls, and Murdock signed with the New Jersey Nets.Offseason
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 26 | Charles Smith | SG | | University of New Mexico |
| 2 | 30 | Mark Sanford | F | | University of Washington |
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Playoffs
East First Round
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Last Playoff Meeting: 1997 Eastern Conference SemifinalsPlayer stats
Regular season
Playoffs
Transactions
Awards and records
