2006–07 Miami Heat season


The 2006–07 Miami Heat season was the 19th season of the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association. The Heat, for the first time in franchise history, entered the season as the defending NBA champions, having defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals in six games. On January 3, 2007, head coach Pat Riley took a leave of absence citing hip and knee problems and was replaced by Ron Rothstein. Despite injuries to several players, including Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade, the Heat repeated as Southeast division champions. With a record of 44–38, it was clear that the Heat was not the same team of years past. The Heat ended the season with a four-game playoff loss in a sweep to the Chicago Bulls in the first round and the Heat became the first defending NBA champions since the Philadelphia Warriors back in 1957 to be swept in the first round. Following the season, Gary Payton retired.

Key dates

2006 NBA draft

The Miami Heat had no selections in the 2006 NBA draft after the following trades:

Pre-season

Regular season

Standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Playoffs

The Miami Heat were swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs by the Chicago Bulls
East First Round
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
ABC
April 21
Game 1
Miami Heat 91, Chicago Bulls 96
United Center, Chicago
TNT
April 24
Game 2
Miami Heat 89, Chicago Bulls 107
United Center, Chicago
ESPN
April 27
Game 3
Chicago Bulls 104, Miami Heat 96
American Airlines Arena, Miami
ABC
April 29
Game 4
Chicago Bulls 92, Miami Heat 79
Chicago wins series, 4–0

Player statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Week/Month

All-Star

Season

Records

Milestones

Injuries and surgeries

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions