1988–89 Miami Heat Season on:
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The 1988–89 Miami Heat season was Miami's inaugural season in the NBA. The Heat were the first of two expansion teams to play in the state of Florida over a two-year period, and along with the
/ref> On December 14, the team won their first game of the season by beating the Clippers in Los Angeles by a score of 89–88. Five games later, the Heat won their first game ever at home when they beat the Utah Jazz, 101–80. The Heat struggled all season long, holding a dreadful 5–40 record at the All-Star break, and finishing last place in the Midwest Division with a 15–67 record. The club's leading scorer was Edwards, who averaged a low team-high of 13.8 points, and contributed 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and was also selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while Sparrow averaged 12.5 points, 5.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and Long provided the team with 11.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Seikaly averaged 10.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while Thompson provided with 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and Sundvold contributed 10.4 points per game off the bench, while shooting .522 in three-point field-goal percentage. Cummings averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Gray provided with 8.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and Washington contributed 7.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. Despite their location in Miami, Florida, the NBA placed the Heat in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference; this meant that the Heat were forced on some of the longest and farthest road trips in the NBA in 1988–89, as their closest divisional opponent was the
1988-89 Schedule
Heat on Database Basketball
{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Miami Heat season Miami Heat seasons Miami Miami Heat Miami Heat
The 1988–89 Miami Heat season was Miami's inaugural season in the NBA. The Heat were the first of two expansion teams to play in the state of Florida over a two-year period, and along with the Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division, and pla ...
, joined the NBA in 1988. The team revealed a new primary logo of a red basketball on fire going through a hoop, and got new uniforms adding red and black to their color scheme. In the 1988 NBA expansion draft, the Heat selected veteran players like Billy Thompson, Fred Roberts
Frederick Clark Roberts (born August 14, 1960) is an American former basketball player who played power forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons, a career spanning from 1983 to 1997, becoming a successful journeymen ...
, Jon Sundvold
Jon Thomas "Sunny" Sundvold (born July 2, 1961) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (16th pick overall) of the 1983 NBA draft. A 6'2" shooting guard from the Univ ...
, Darnell Valentine, Dwayne "Pearl" Washington and Scott Hastings. However, Roberts was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Valentine was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
. The team also signed free agents Pat Cummings and Rory Sparrow during the off-season. The Heat received the ninth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft
The 1988 NBA draft took place on June 28, 1988, in New York City, New York. The length was reduced from seven rounds in the previous year to three rounds. This was also the first draft for the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, prior to their i ...
, and selected center Rony Seikaly out of Syracuse University
Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...
, while other rookies included first round draft pick Kevin Edwards, and second round draft picks Grant Long and Sylvester Gray. The team hired Ron Rothstein as their first head coach.
The Heat made their debut on November 5, 1988, in a losing effort to the Los Angeles Clippers by a score of 111–91 at the Miami Arena; Sparrow made the first basket in franchise history. The Heat lost an NBA record 17 games to start their inaugural season.Miami Heat (1988-Present)/ref> On December 14, the team won their first game of the season by beating the Clippers in Los Angeles by a score of 89–88. Five games later, the Heat won their first game ever at home when they beat the Utah Jazz, 101–80. The Heat struggled all season long, holding a dreadful 5–40 record at the All-Star break, and finishing last place in the Midwest Division with a 15–67 record. The club's leading scorer was Edwards, who averaged a low team-high of 13.8 points, and contributed 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and was also selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while Sparrow averaged 12.5 points, 5.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and Long provided the team with 11.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Seikaly averaged 10.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while Thompson provided with 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and Sundvold contributed 10.4 points per game off the bench, while shooting .522 in three-point field-goal percentage. Cummings averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Gray provided with 8.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and Washington contributed 7.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. Despite their location in Miami, Florida, the NBA placed the Heat in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference; this meant that the Heat were forced on some of the longest and farthest road trips in the NBA in 1988–89, as their closest divisional opponent was the
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its ho ...
, which were located over 950 miles away.
The team's primary logo and uniforms both remained in use until 1999.
Offseason
Expansion Draft
Draft picks
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
:z – clinched division title :y – clinched division title :x – clinched playoff spotRecord vs. opponents
Game log
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" , 1 , , November 5, 1988 , ,L.A. Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...
, , L 91–111 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 0–1
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 2 , , November 8, 1988 , , @ Dallas , , L 88–92 , , Reunion Arena , , 16,129 , , 0–2
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, 3 , , November 9, 1988 , , @ San Antonio , , L 93–117 , , HemisFair Arena , , , , 0–3
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, 4 , , November 11, 1988 , , Houston , , L 100–121 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 0–4
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, 5 , , November 15, 1988 , , Boston , , L 65–84 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 0–5
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, 6 , , November 17, 1988 , , @ Houston , , L 107–113 , , The Summit , , 16,288 , , 0–6
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, 7 , , November 18, 1988 , , Golden State , , L 117–123 (OT) , , Miami Arena , , 13,907 , , 0–7
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, 8 , , November 23, 1988 , , L.A. Lakers , , L 91–138 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 0–8
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, 9 , , November 26, 1988 , , @ Milwaukee , , L 93–103 , , Bradley Center
The Bradley Center (also known as the BMO Harris Bradley Center under sponsorship agreements) was a multi-purpose arena located on the northwest corner of North Vel R. Phillips Ave. and West State Streets in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United ...
, , 18,573 , , 0–9
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, 10 , , November 27, 1988 , , @ Cleveland , , L 80–109 , , Richfield Coliseum , , , , 0–10
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, 11 , , November 29, 1988 , , @ Charlotte , , L 84–99 , , Charlotte Coliseum , , 23,388 , , 0–11
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, 12 , , November 30, 1988 , , San Antonio , , L 101–105 , , Miami Arena , , 14,298 , , 0–12
, -
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, 13 , , December 2, 1988 , , Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
* Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States
* Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
, , L 102–105 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 0–13
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 14 , , December 7, 1988 , , Sacramento , , L 94–96 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 0–14
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, 15 , , December 9, 1988 , , Denver , , L 110–121 , , Miami Arena , , 14,812 , , 0–15
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, 16 , , December 10, 1988 , , @ Chicago , , L 88–111 , , Chicago Stadium , , 17,615 , , 0–16
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, 17 , , December 12, 1988 , , @ Utah , , L 94–110 , , Salt Palace , , 12,444 , , 0–17
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 18 , , December 14, 1988 , , @ L.A. Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...
, , W 89–88 , , Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena , , , , 1–17
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, 19 , , December 15, 1988 , , @ Sacramento , , L 90–94 , , ARCO Arena , , 16,517 , , 1–18
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, 20 , , December 17, 1988 , , Dallas , , L 87–104 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 1–19
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, 21 , , December 20, 1988 , , @ Detroit , , L 100–116 , , The Palace of Auburn Hills , , 21,454 , , 1–20
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, 22 , , December 21, 1988 , , Seattle , , L 101–109 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 1–21
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, 23 , , December 23, 1988 , , Utah , , W 101–80 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 2–21
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, 24 , , December 26, 1988 , , San Antonio , , W 111–109 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 3–21
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, 25 , , December 27, 1988 , , Houston , , L 93–101 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 3–22
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, 26 , , December 29, 1988 , , @ Seattle , , L 99–129 , , Seattle Center Coliseum
Climate Pledge Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is located north of Downtown Seattle in the entertainment complex known as Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World's Fair, for which it was or ...
, , 14,794 , , 3–23
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, 27 , , December 30, 1988 , , @ Denver , , L 83–109 , , McNichols Sports Arena , , 12,214 , , 3–24
, -
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, 28 , , January 3, 1989 , , @ Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
* Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States
* Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
, , L 95–119 , , Memorial Coliseum , , 12,848 , , 3–25
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 29 , , January 4, 1989 , , @ Golden State , , L 100–109 , , Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena , , 12,831 , , 3–26
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 30 , , January 6, 1989 , , @ L.A. Lakers , , L 86–118 , , Great Western Forum , , 17,505 , , 3–27
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 31 , , January 7, 1989 , , @ Phoenix , , L 99–107 , , Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 12,288 , , 3–28
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 32 , , January 10, 1989 , , Utah , , L 88–92 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 3–29
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 33 , , January 12, 1989 , , @ Washington , , L 100–106 , , Capital Centre Capitol Center or Capitol Centre or Capital Center or Capital Centre may refer to:
Singapore
*Capitol Centre, Singapore
United Arab Emirates
*Capital Centre (Abu Dhabi)
United Kingdom
*Capitol Centre, Cardiff, a shopping mall
United States
* Ca ...
, , , , 3–30
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, 34 , , January 13, 1989 , , Milwaukee , , L 101–107 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 3–31
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 35 , , January 15, 1989 , , Indiana , , W 118–117 (2OT) , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 4–31
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 36 , , January 19, 1989 , , Chicago , , L 108–112 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 4–32
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 37 , , January 23, 1989 , , @ San Antonio , , L 101–119 , , HemisFair Arena , , , , 4–33
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 38 , , January 24, 1989 , , @ Houston , , L 93–118 , , The Summit , , 16,611 , , 4–34
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 39 , , January 26, 1989 , , Denver , , L 108–129 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 4–35
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 40 , , January 29, 1989 , , @ Boston , , L 103–121 , , Boston Garden , , 14,890 , , 4–36
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 41 , , January 30, 1989 , , Golden State , , L 98–105 , , Miami Arena , , 14,880 , , 4–37
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 42 , , February 2, 1989 , , Seattle , , L 93–100 , , Miami Arena , , 14,798 , , 4–38
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 43 , , February 5, 1989 , , Sacramento , , W 102–98 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 5–38
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 44 , , February 7, 1989 , , @ Utah , , L 77–96 , , Salt Palace , , 12,444 , , 5–39
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 45 , , February 9, 1989 , , @ Denver , , L 92–117 , , McNichols Sports Arena , , 14,935 , , 5–40
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 46 , , February 14, 1989 , , Cleveland , , L 98–109 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 5–41
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 47 , , February 16, 1989 , , @ Dallas , , L 80–93 , , Reunion Arena , , 17,007 , , 5–42
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 48 , , February 17, 1989 , , Charlotte , , W 103–102 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 6–42
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 49 , , February 19, 1989 , , Atlanta , , W 124–115 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 7–42
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 50 , , February 20, 1989 , , @ New Jersey , , L 109–117 , , Brendan Byrne Arena , , , , 7–43
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 51 , , February 22, 1989 , , Philadelphia , , L 108–139 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 7–44
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 52 , , February 24, 1989 , , L.A. Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...
, , W 111–91 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 8–44
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 53 , , February 26, 1989 , , Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
* Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States
* Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
, , L 102–124 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 8–45
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 54 , , February 28, 1989 , , Dallas , , L 110–111 (OT) , , Miami Arena , , 14,779 , , 8–46
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 55 , , March 2, 1989 , , @ New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, , L 123–132 , , Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as The Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd Street, above Pennsylva ...
, , 14,054 , , 8–47
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, 56 , , March 3, 1989 , , Utah , , L 95–107 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 8–48
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 57 , , March 5, 1989 , , Detroit , , L 100–109 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 8–49
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 58 , , March 8, 1989 , , L.A. Lakers , , L 87–127 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 8–50
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 59 , , March 10, 1989 , , Denver , , W 131–130 (2OT) , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 9–50
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 60 , , March 11, 1989 , , @ Atlanta , , L 78–111 , , The Omni , , 16,371 , , 9–51
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, 61 , , March 13, 1989 , , Phoenix , , L 104–112 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 9–52
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 62 , , March 15, 1989 , , @ L.A. Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...
, , W 109–103 , , Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena , , , , 10–52
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 63 , , March 17, 1989 , , @ Utah , , L 96–118 , , Salt Palace , , 12,444 , , 10–53
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 64 , , March 18, 1989 , , @ Denver , , L 105–111 , , McNichols Sports Arena , , 15,068 , , 10–54
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 65 , , March 20, 1989 , , @ Phoenix , , L 97–115 , , Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 12,315 , , 10–55
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 66 , , March 22, 1989 , , New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, , W 107–103 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 11–55
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 67 , , March 25, 1989 , , San Antonio , , W 107–105 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 12–55
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 68 , , March 27, 1989 , , New Jersey , , W 100–79 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 13–55
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 69 , , March 29, 1989 , , @ Indiana , , L 89–96 , , Market Square Arena , , , , 13–56
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 70 , , March 31, 1989 , , @ Philadelphia , , L 93–114 , , Spectrum , , 14,127 , , 13–57
, -
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 71 , , April 2, 1989 , , @ Dallas , , L 96–98 , , Reunion Arena , , 16,846 , , 13–58
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 72 , , April 4, 1989 , , @ San Antonio , , 87–109 , , HemisFair Arena , , , , 13–59
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, 73 , , April 6, 1989 , , Washington , , L 93–101 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 13–60
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 74 , , April 8, 1989 , , Houston , , W 107–104 (OT) , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 14–60
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 75 , , April 10, 1989 , , @ Sacramento , , L 69–108 , , ARCO Arena , , 16,517 , , 14–61
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 76 , , April 11, 1989 , , @ Golden State , , L 98–114 , , Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena , , 15,025 , , 14–62
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 77 , , April 13, 1989 , , @ Seattle , , L 111–116 , , Seattle Center Coliseum , , 11,267 , , 14–63
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 78 , , April 14, 1989 , , @ Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
* Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States
* Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
, , L 86–97 , , Memorial Coliseum , , 12,880 , , 14–64
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 79 , , April 16, 1989 , , @ L.A. Lakers , , L 108–121 , , Great Western Forum , , 17,505 , , 14–65
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 80 , , April 18, 1989 , , Dallas , , L 99–103 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 14–66
, - align="center" bgcolor="edbebf"
, 81 , , April 19, 1989 , , Phoenix , , L 91–117 , , Miami Arena , , 15,008 , , 14–67
, - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"
, 82 , , April 22, 1989 , , @ Houston , , W 91–89 , , The Summit , , 16,611 , , 15–67
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1988-89 Schedule
Awards, records, and honors
* Kevin Edwards, NBA All-Rookie Second TeamPlayer stats
''Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average''Transactions
References
Heat on Database Basketball
{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Miami Heat season Miami Heat seasons Miami Miami Heat Miami Heat