The 1995-96 Miami Heat season marked a significant turning point for the franchise, featuring major changes and a foundation for future success. Pat Riley took over as head coach and president, bringing a wealth of experience and a winning pedigree. This season was also notable for a blockbuster trade that sent Glen Rice, Matt Geiger, Khalid Reeves, and a first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Pete Myers, and LeRon Ellis.
Alonzo Mourning quickly became the cornerstone of the team, providing strong defensive presence and leadership. The Heat also acquired Tim Hardaway from the Golden State Warriors mid-season, which further bolstered their roster. Despite these additions, the team faced challenges in building chemistry and consistency throughout the season.
The Heat finished with a 42-40 record, securing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This was a notable improvement from their 32-50 record the previous season. In the playoffs, Miami faced the top-seeded Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. The Heat were swept in the first round, losing the series 3-0, as the Bulls were on their way to winning an NBA championship.
While the season ended in a first-round exit, it set the stage for the Heat’s future success. The acquisitions of Mourning and Hardaway provided a strong core, and Pat Riley’s influence brought a culture of competitiveness that would propel the franchise in the ensuing years.
- Regular Season Record: 42-40
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 0-3
Miami Heat Roster and Stats for 1995-96 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Alonzo Mourning | 70 | 23.2 | 10.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 30.0 | 3 | 18.0 | 6.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Tim Hardaway | 28 | 17.2 | 3.5 | 10.0 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 36.1 | 3 | 17.7 | 1.7 | 5.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 36.4 |
| Chris Gatling | 24 | 15.2 | 7.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Billy Owens | 40 | 14.8 | 7.2 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rex Chapman | 56 | 14.0 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 37.1 | 3 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 23.1 |
| Sasha Danilović | 19 | 13.4 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 43.6 | 3 | 8.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 40.0 |
| Bimbo Coles | 52 | 12.8 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 36.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Walt Williams | 28 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 45.5 | 3 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 11.1 |
| Kevin Willis | 47 | 10.2 | 8.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Kurt Thomas | 74 | 9.0 | 5.9 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 3 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Kevin Gamble | 44 | 6.9 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 41.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Keith Askins | 75 | 6.1 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 41.8 | 3 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Voshon Lenard | 30 | 5.9 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 35.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Pete Myers | 39 | 4.7 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 26.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Tyrone Corbin | 22 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 2 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jeff Malone | 7 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Tony Smith | 25 | 4.4 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 3 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 40.0 |
| Danny Schayes | 32 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Terrence Rencher | 34 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 31.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Stacey King | 15 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ron Grandison | 18 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 30.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| LeRon Ellis | 12 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Miami Heat in the 1996 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Chicago Bulls
In the first round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat faced a formidable challenge against the Chicago Bulls, who were in the midst of their historic 72-win season. The Heat, led by coach Pat Riley and featuring star players like Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, struggled to compete against the dominant Bulls team led by Michael Jordan. Ultimately, Miami was swept in the series, losing 3-0, as the Bulls showcased their championship pedigree.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-85 | |
| Apr 28, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 106-75 | |
| May 01, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 112-91 |
Miami Heat 1995-96 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1995-96 season for the Miami Heat.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1995 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 85-71 | |
| Nov 08, 1995 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 89-82 | |
| Nov 10, 1995 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 106-80 | |
| Nov 11, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | L 94-93 | |
| Nov 15, 1995 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 103-97 | |
| Nov 17, 1995 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 91-88 | |
| Nov 18, 1995 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 93-90 | |
| Nov 22, 1995 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 103-93 | |
| Nov 24, 1995 | @ Washington Bullets | L 110-94 | |
| Nov 25, 1995 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 111-91 | |
| Nov 28, 1995 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 111-89 | |
| Nov 30, 1995 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 118-107 | |
| Dec 01, 1995 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 108-101 | |
| Dec 03, 1995 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 112-94 | |
| Dec 04, 1995 | @ Boston Celtics | L 121-120 | |
| Dec 06, 1995 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 105-101 | |
| Dec 09, 1995 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 94-92 | |
| Dec 10, 1995 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 110-90 | |
| Dec 12, 1995 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 105-80 | |
| Dec 14, 1995 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 89-84 | |
| Dec 16, 1995 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 83-74 | |
| Dec 19, 1995 | @ New York Knicks | L 89-70 | |
| Dec 20, 1995 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 112-104 | |
| Dec 22, 1995 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 84-75 | |
| Dec 23, 1995 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 87-75 | |
| Dec 26, 1995 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 96-93 | |
| Dec 28, 1995 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 91-77 | |
| Dec 30, 1995 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 105-96 | |
| Jan 04, 1996 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 84-81 | |
| Jan 06, 1996 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 88-86 | |
| Jan 08, 1996 | @ Utah Jazz | L 94-92 | |
| Jan 10, 1996 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 90-89 | |
| Jan 12, 1996 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-81 | |
| Jan 13, 1996 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 69-65 | |
| Jan 15, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 96-88 | |
| Jan 17, 1996 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 96-89 | |
| Jan 19, 1996 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 114-106 | |
| Jan 20, 1996 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 98-78 | |
| Jan 22, 1996 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 96-89 | |
| Jan 24, 1996 | vs. New York Knicks | L 88-79 | |
| Jan 26, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-80 | |
| Jan 27, 1996 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 102-85 | |
| Jan 29, 1996 | @ New York Knicks | L 94-85 | |
| Jan 30, 1996 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 114-99 | |
| Feb 01, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 124-104 | |
| Feb 03, 1996 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 100-99 | |
| Feb 05, 1996 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 103-92 | |
| Feb 07, 1996 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 101-89 | |
| Feb 13, 1996 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 98-87 | |
| Feb 15, 1996 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 97-91 | |
| Feb 17, 1996 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 95-93 | |
| Feb 19, 1996 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 73-70 | |
| Feb 21, 1996 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 66-57 | |
| Feb 23, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 113-104 | |
| Feb 25, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 108-101 | |
| Feb 27, 1996 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 93-90 | |
| Feb 28, 1996 | @ Orlando Magic | L 116-112 | |
| Mar 01, 1996 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 102-88 | |
| Mar 03, 1996 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 89-87 | |
| Mar 05, 1996 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 113-72 | |
| Mar 08, 1996 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 109-79 | |
| Mar 10, 1996 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 88-81 | |
| Mar 12, 1996 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 125-118 | |
| Mar 14, 1996 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 120-100 | |
| Mar 16, 1996 | @ Houston Rockets | W 121-97 | |
| Mar 20, 1996 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 102-93 | |
| Mar 22, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 122-106 | |
| Mar 24, 1996 | @ Boston Celtics | W 111-95 | |
| Mar 27, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 106-95 | |
| Mar 29, 1996 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 112-93 | |
| Mar 30, 1996 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 95-85 | |
| Apr 02, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 110-92 | |
| Apr 04, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 100-92 | |
| Apr 06, 1996 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 99-95 | |
| Apr 08, 1996 | @ Washington Bullets | L 111-99 | |
| Apr 10, 1996 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 116-95 | |
| Apr 11, 1996 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 115-105 | |
| Apr 13, 1996 | vs. New York Knicks | W 103-95 | |
| Apr 15, 1996 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 110-90 | |
| Apr 17, 1996 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 90-86 | |
| Apr 19, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 106-100 | |
| Apr 21, 1996 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 104-92 |