Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

League Search Page > NBA > Miami Heat > Roster & Statistics

The Miami Heat 1998–99 relied on Alonzo Mourning as their dominant interior force, combining efficient scoring with elite rebounding and shot-blocking, while Tim Hardaway directed the offense as the primary playmaker and backcourt scorer. Jamal Mashburn provided additional offensive versatility, and the supporting cast contributed reliable perimeter shooting and defense. The team’s statistical profile reflected a defense-first identity built on rim protection, rebounding, disciplined half-court execution, and balanced offensive support.

Roster

NO. PLAYER NAME POS HT WT DATE OF BIRTH COLLEGE
2 Keith Askins SF 6-7 197 December 15, 1967 Alabama
3 Jamie Watson SF 6-7 190 February 23, 1972 South Carolina
4 Duane Causwell C 7-0 240 May 31, 1968 Temple
5 Mark Strickland PF 6-9 210 July 14, 1970 Temple
6 Terry Mills PF 6-10 230 December 21, 1967 Michigan
7 Mark Davis SF 6-7 210 April 26, 1973 Howard College, Texas Tech
9 Dan Majerle SG 6-6 215 September 9, 1965 Central Michigan University
10 Tim Hardaway PG 6-0 175 September 1, 1966 Texas-El Paso
21 Voshon Lenard SG 6-4 205 May 14, 1973 Minnesota
23 Rex Walters SG 6-4 190 March 12, 1970 Northwestern, Kansas
24 Jamal Mashburn SF 6-8 240 November 29, 1972 Kentucky
30 Terry Porter PG 6-3 195 April 8, 1963 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
32 Blue Edwards SF 6-4 200 October 31, 1965 East Carolina University
33 Alonzo Mourning C 6-10 240 February 8, 1970 Georgetown
35 Clarence Weatherspoon SF 6-7 240 September 8, 1970 Southern Miss
40 Marty Conlon C 6-10 224 January 19, 1968 Providence
42 P.J. Brown PF 6-11 225 October 14, 1969 Louisiana Tech

Regular Season Per Game

Player Pos Age GP GS MP PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Alonzo Mourning C 28 46 46 38.1 20.1 11.0 1.6 0.7 3.9 3.0 13.8 7.0 .511 0.0 0.0 .000 9.2 6.0 .652
Tim Hardaway PG 32 48 48 36.9 17.4 3.2 7.3 1.2 0.1 2.7 15.7 6.3 .400 6.5 2.3 .360 3.1 2.5 .812
P.J. Brown PF 29 50 50 32.2 11.4 6.9 1.3 0.9 1.0 1.4 9.5 4.6 .480 0.0 0.0 — 2.9 2.3 .774
Terry Porter PG 35 50 1 27.3 10.5 2.8 2.9 1.0 0.2 1.5 7.4 3.4 .465 2.8 1.2 .411 3.0 2.5 .831
Clarence Weatherspoon SF 28 49 3 21.2 8.1 5.0 0.7 0.6 0.3 1.2 5.4 2.9 .534 0.0 0.0 — 2.9 2.3 .804
Jamal Mashburn SF 26 24 23 35.6 14.8 6.1 3.1 0.8 0.1 2.5 12.4 5.6 .451 1.3 0.5 .433 4.3 3.1 .721
Dan Majerle SG 33 48 48 33.8 7.0 4.3 3.1 0.8 0.1 1.1 6.2 2.5 .396 4.2 1.4 .335 1.0 0.7 .717
Mark Strickland PF 28 32 1 11.2 3.7 2.4 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4 3.2 1.6 .495 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 0.6 .731
Rex Walters SG 28 33 13 15.3 3.1 1.5 1.8 0.3 0.1 1.0 2.9 1.1 .368 1.2 0.4 .316 0.7 0.6 .826
Voshon Lenard SG 25 12 2 15.8 6.8 1.3 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.6 6.6 2.6 .392 2.9 1.0 .343 0.9 0.7 .727
Blue Edwards SF 33 24 0 11.8 3.2 1.4 1.3 0.7 0.2 0.9 3.0 1.3 .444 0.4 0.2 .400 0.5 0.4 .692
Keith Askins SF 31 33 13 12.6 1.6 1.3 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.4 1.9 0.6 .323 0.9 0.2 .276 0.2 0.2 .625
Duane Causwell C 30 19 1 7.2 2.3 1.8 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.9 1.8 1.1 .571 0.0 0.0 — 0.6 0.2 .333
Mark Davis SF 25 4 1 8.8 2.3 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.0 1.8 1.5 0.5 .333 0.0 0.0 — 1.5 1.3 .833
Terry Mills PF 31 1 0 29.0 9.0 4.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 3.0 8.0 3.0 .375 4.0 2.0 .500 2.0 1.0 .500
Marty Conlon C 31 7 0 5.0 1.1 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.4 1.9 0.4 .231 0.0 0.0 — 0.3 0.3 1.000
Jamie Watson SF 26 3 0 6.0 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.7 0.3 .500 0.0 0.0 — 0.0 0.0 —
Team Totals     50 50 240.5 89.0 40.3 20.4 6.5 6.1 14.9 71.3 32.3 .453 16.1 5.8 .359 25.2 18.6 .735

Playoff Per Game

Player Pos Age GP GS MP PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Alonzo Mourning C 28 5 5 38.8 21.6 8.2 0.8 1.6 2.8 2.4 14.6 7.6 .521 0.0 0.0 — 9.8 6.4 .653
P.J. Brown PF 29 5 5 28.8 10.2 6.2 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.6 9.0 4.2 .467 0.2 0.0 .000 2.0 1.8 .900
Jamal Mashburn SF 26 5 5 30.4 10.0 2.6 2.0 0.4 0.0 2.0 9.8 3.8 .388 2.8 1.2 .429 1.8 1.2 .667
Tim Hardaway PG 32 5 5 36.4 9.0 2.8 6.4 1.0 0.2 3.6 11.2 3.0 .268 5.0 1.0 .200 3.2 2.0 .625
Terry Porter PG 35 5 0 27.8 9.0 3.8 3.0 0.6 0.0 1.6 6.4 3.0 .469 2.4 0.6 .250 3.0 2.4 .800
Voshon Lenard SG 25 4 0 14.3 9.3 0.3 0.8 0.0 0.3 0.3 5.5 3.0 .545 3.5 2.3 .643 1.0 1.0 1.000
Clarence Weatherspoon SF 28 5 0 22.4 5.8 4.2 0.4 1.4 0.2 0.6 5.2 1.8 .346 0.0 0.0 — 3.4 2.2 .647
Dan Majerle SG 33 5 5 30.4 4.0 5.8 1.2 1.0 0.4 0.6 5.2 1.0 .192 4.4 1.0 .227 1.4 1.0 .714
Duane Causwell C 30 4 0 5.0 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 .500 0.0 0.0 — 1.5 1.0 .667
Mark Strickland PF 28 2 0 4.0 2.0 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 0.5 .500 0.0 0.0 — 1.0 1.0 1.000
Keith Askins SF 31 4 0 6.8 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.0 1.0 0.0 .000 0.8 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0 —
Rex Walters SG 28 3 0 4.3 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 .000 0.7 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0 —
Team Totals     5 5 240.0 79.0 35.6 16.4 7.2 4.4 11.8 68.0 27.2 .400 18.6 5.6 .301 27.0 19.0 .704

Regular Season Per 36 Mins

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Alonzo Mourning C 28 46 46 1753 19.0 10.4 1.5 0.7 3.7 2.9 13.0 6.7 .511 0.0 0.0 .000 8.7 5.7 .652
Tim Hardaway PG 32 48 48 1772 17.0 3.1 7.2 1.2 0.1 2.7 15.3 6.1 .400 6.3 2.3 .360 3.0 2.5 .812
Terry Porter PG 35 50 1 1365 13.8 3.7 3.9 1.3 0.3 2.0 9.8 4.5 .465 3.7 1.5 .411 3.9 3.2 .831
Clarence Weatherspoon SF 28 49 3 1040 13.7 8.4 1.2 1.0 0.6 2.1 9.1 4.9 .534 0.0 0.0 — 5.0 4.0 .804
P.J. Brown PF 29 50 50 1611 12.8 7.7 1.5 1.0 1.1 1.5 10.7 5.1 .480 0.0 0.0 — 3.3 2.5 .774
Mark Strickland PF 28 32 1 357 12.0 7.9 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.3 10.2 5.0 .495 0.1 0.0 .000 2.6 1.9 .731
Jamal Mashburn SF 26 24 23 855 15.0 6.1 3.2 0.8 0.1 2.5 12.5 5.6 .451 1.3 0.5 .433 4.4 3.2 .721
Dan Majerle SG 33 48 48 1624 7.5 4.6 3.3 0.8 0.2 1.2 6.6 2.6 .396 4.5 1.5 .335 1.0 0.7 .717
Rex Walters SG 28 33 13 506 7.2 3.6 4.1 0.7 0.2 2.3 6.8 2.5 .368 2.7 0.9 .316 1.6 1.4 .826
Blue Edwards SF 33 24 0 283 9.8 4.2 3.8 2.2 0.6 2.7 9.2 4.1 .444 1.3 0.5 .400 1.7 1.1 .692
Duane Causwell C 30 19 1 137 11.6 9.2 0.5 0.0 2.9 4.7 9.2 5.3 .571 0.0 0.0 — 3.2 1.1 .333
Voshon Lenard SG 25 12 2 190 15.5 3.0 1.9 0.6 0.2 1.3 15.0 5.9 .392 6.6 2.3 .343 2.1 1.5 .727
Keith Askins SF 31 33 13 415 4.6 3.8 0.9 1.5 0.3 1.1 5.4 1.7 .323 2.5 0.7 .276 0.7 0.4 .625
Marty Conlon C 31 7 0 35 8.2 5.1 1.0 0.0 1.0 3.1 13.4 3.1 .231 0.0 0.0 — 2.1 2.1 1.000
Mark Davis SF 25 4 1 35 9.3 7.2 1.0 1.0 0.0 7.2 6.2 2.1 .333 0.0 0.0 — 6.2 5.1 .833
Jamie Watson SF 26 3 0 18 4.0 2.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 2.0 .500 0.0 0.0 — 0.0 0.0 —
Terry Mills PF 31 1 0 29 11.2 5.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 3.7 9.9 3.7 .375 5.0 2.5 .500 2.5 1.2 .500

Playoff Per 36 Mins

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Alonzo Mourning C 28 5 5 194 20.0 7.6 0.7 1.5 2.6 2.2 13.5 7.1 .521 0.0 0.0 — 9.1 5.9 .653
Voshon Lenard SG 25 4 0 57 23.4 0.6 1.9 0.0 0.6 0.6 13.9 7.6 .545 8.8 5.7 .643 2.5 2.5 1.000
P.J. Brown PF 29 5 5 144 12.7 7.7 1.2 0.5 0.5 0.7 11.3 5.2 .467 0.2 0.0 .000 2.5 2.3 .900
Jamal Mashburn SF 26 5 5 152 11.8 3.1 2.4 0.5 0.0 2.4 11.6 4.5 .388 3.3 1.4 .429 2.1 1.4 .667
Terry Porter PG 35 5 0 139 11.7 4.9 3.9 0.8 0.0 2.1 8.3 3.9 .469 3.1 0.8 .250 3.9 3.1 .800
Clarence Weatherspoon SF 28 5 0 112 9.3 6.8 0.6 2.3 0.3 1.0 8.4 2.9 .346 0.0 0.0 — 5.5 3.5 .647
Tim Hardaway PG 32 5 5 182 8.9 2.8 6.3 1.0 0.2 3.6 11.1 3.0 .268 4.9 1.0 .200 3.2 2.0 .625
Duane Causwell C 30 4 0 20 10.8 3.6 1.8 1.8 0.0 0.0 3.6 1.8 .500 0.0 0.0 — 10.8 7.2 .667
Mark Strickland PF 28 2 0 8 18.0 13.5 0.0 4.5 0.0 4.5 9.0 4.5 .500 0.0 0.0 — 9.0 9.0 1.000
Dan Majerle SG 33 5 5 152 4.7 6.9 1.4 1.2 0.5 0.7 6.2 1.2 .192 5.2 1.2 .227 1.7 1.2 .714
Keith Askins SF 31 4 0 27 0.0 5.3 0.0 2.7 1.3 0.0 5.3 0.0 .000 4.0 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0 —
Rex Walters SG 28 3 0 13 0.0 0.0 11.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.3 0.0 .000 5.5 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0 —

Regular Season Totals

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Alonzo Mourning C 28 46 46 1753 924 507 74 34 180 139 634 324 .511 2 0 .000 423 276 .652
Tim Hardaway PG 32 48 48 1772 835 152 352 57 6 131 752 301 .400 311 112 .360 149 121 .812
P.J. Brown PF 29 50 50 1611 571 346 66 46 48 69 477 229 .480 0 0 — 146 113 .774
Terry Porter PG 35 50 1 1365 525 140 146 48 11 74 370 172 .465 141 58 .411 148 123 .831
Clarence Weatherspoon SF 28 49 3 1040 397 243 34 28 17 61 264 141 .534 0 0 — 143 115 .804
Jamal Mashburn SF 26 24 23 855 356 146 75 20 3 60 297 134 .451 30 13 .433 104 75 .721
Dan Majerle SG 33 48 48 1624 337 208 150 38 7 55 298 118 .396 203 68 .335 46 33 .717
Mark Strickland PF 28 32 1 357 119 78 9 7 8 13 101 50 .495 1 0 .000 26 19 .731
Rex Walters SG 28 33 13 506 101 50 58 10 3 32 95 35 .368 38 12 .316 23 19 .826
Voshon Lenard SG 25 12 2 190 82 16 10 3 1 7 79 31 .392 35 12 .343 11 8 .727
Blue Edwards SF 33 24 0 283 77 33 30 17 5 21 72 32 .444 10 4 .400 13 9 .692
Keith Askins SF 31 33 13 415 53 44 10 17 3 13 62 20 .323 29 8 .276 8 5 .625
Duane Causwell C 30 19 1 137 44 35 2 0 11 18 35 20 .571 0 0 — 12 4 .333
Terry Mills PF 31 1 0 29 9 4 0 1 0 3 8 3 .375 4 2 .500 2 1 .500
Mark Davis SF 25 4 1 35 9 7 1 1 0 7 6 2 .333 0 0 — 6 5 .833
Marty Conlon C 31 7 0 35 8 5 1 0 1 3 13 3 .231 0 0 — 2 2 1.000
Jamie Watson SF 26 3 0 18 2 1 1 0 0 1 2 1 .500 0 0 — 0 0 —
Team Totals     50 50 12025 4449 2015 1019 327 304 707 3565 1616 .453 804 289 .359 1262 928 .735

Playoff Totals

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Alonzo Mourning C 28 5 5 194 108 41 4 8 14 12 73 38 .521 0 0 — 49 32 .653
P.J. Brown PF 29 5 5 144 51 31 5 2 2 3 45 21 .467 1 0 .000 10 9 .900
Jamal Mashburn SF 26 5 5 152 50 13 10 2 0 10 49 19 .388 14 6 .429 9 6 .667
Tim Hardaway PG 32 5 5 182 45 14 32 5 1 18 56 15 .268 25 5 .200 16 10 .625
Terry Porter PG 35 5 0 139 45 19 15 3 0 8 32 15 .469 12 3 .250 15 12 .800
Voshon Lenard SG 25 4 0 57 37 1 3 0 1 1 22 12 .545 14 9 .643 4 4 1.000
Clarence Weatherspoon SF 28 5 0 112 29 21 2 7 1 3 26 9 .346 0 0 — 17 11 .647
Dan Majerle SG 33 5 5 152 20 29 6 5 2 3 26 5 .192 22 5 .227 7 5 .714
Duane Causwell C 30 4 0 20 6 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 .500 0 0 — 6 4 .667
Mark Strickland PF 28 2 0 8 4 3 0 1 0 1 2 1 .500 0 0 — 2 2 1.000
Keith Askins SF 31 4 0 27 0 4 0 2 1 0 4 0 .000 3 0 .000 0 0 —
Rex Walters SG 28 3 0 13 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 0 .000 2 0 .000 0 0 —
Team Totals     5 5 1200 395 178 82 36 22 59 340 136 .400 93 28 .301 135 95 .704

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Alonzo Mourning Defensive Anchor (1.1) 38.1 High (1.2) 20.1 11.0 1.6 4.6 98.47 Defensive Anchor fits Mourning’s season better than a simple star label. He was Miami’s interior eraser and offensive release valve, combining bruising post work with elite rim protection; independent retrospective coverage still describes him as the central defensive pillar of the Heat identity. Basketball Network MVP voting – 2nd; Defensive Player of the Year (1999); All-NBA First Team (1999); All-Defensive First Team (1999)
Tim Hardaway Franchise Floor General (1.1) 36.9 High (1.2) 17.4 3.2 7.3 1.3 77.09 The offense still ran through Hardaway’s handle, pull-up shooting and half-court creation, even as knee problems began to limit his burst. His 7.3 assists reflected more than table-setting; he remained the guard responsible for creating advantages when Miami’s offense bogged down. Tim Hardaway profile and period-source archive All-NBA Second Team (1999)
Jamal Mashburn Primary Forward Creator (1.05) 35.6 High (1.2) 14.8 6.1 3.1 0.9 62.75 Mashburn opened the shortened season looking like Miami’s missing third scorer before a deep left-knee bruise interrupted that progress. Pat Riley described him as Miami’s best player during the preceding three weeks, underscoring how much shot creation and size he supplied beside Mourning and Hardaway. CBS News/AP: Mashburn injury report —
P.J. Brown Starting Interior Two-Way Forward (1.05) 32.2 Medium (1.1) 11.4 6.9 1.3 1.9 49.67 Brown operated as the physical counterweight to Mourning, doing the dirty work around the glass while giving Miami another dependable interior scorer. Contemporary coverage repeatedly framed the Heat around their imposing frontcourt, with Brown’s toughness and defensive activity allowing Riley to build a deliberately rugged lineup. CBS News/AP: Heat-Knicks coverage All-Defensive Second Team (1999)
Terry Porter Sixth Man Lead Guard (1.05) 27.3 Medium (1.1) 10.5 2.8 2.9 1.2 40.19 Porter gave Miami a second veteran ball-handler and late-clock organizer after joining the team during the lockout-shortened season. His value showed most clearly when the starters stalled: he repeatedly supplied scoring bursts from the bench and was trusted in closing situations, including the tense Knicks series. Los Angeles Times: Heat-Knicks Game 5 Sixth Man of the Year voting – 5th
Dan Majerle Defensive Wing Stopper (1.05) 33.8 Medium (1.1) 7.0 4.3 3.1 0.9 35.34 Majerle’s role had shifted well beyond scoring by this point. He started every game, guarded opposing perimeter threats, moved the ball and supplied timely floor spacing; his two fourth-quarter threes in the Knicks series were a good example of the low-volume offensive responsibility attached to his defensive assignment. Los Angeles Times: Heat-Knicks Game 2 —
Clarence Weatherspoon Physical Frontcourt Reserve (1.05) 21.2 Medium (1.0) 8.1 5.0 0.7 0.9 30.87 Weatherspoon arrived specifically to strengthen Miami’s second unit, with Riley identifying his post-up game, scoring and rebounding as useful complements behind Brown and Mashburn. He became the kind of sturdy reserve who could change the physical tone without requiring plays called for him. UPI Archives: Weatherspoon joins Miami —
Terry Mills Stretch-Power Reserve (1.0) 29.0 Low (1.0) 9.0 4.0 0.0 1.0 28.00 Mills’ lone appearance came in a season disrupted by the lingering effects of offseason surgery. His value was tied to frontcourt size and shooting rather than sustained creation, and contemporary reporting noted that his rehabilitation limited his availability when Miami needed another big body. CBS News/AP: Heat injury report —
Voshon Lenard Perimeter Scoring Reserve (1.0) 15.8 Low (1.0) 6.8 1.3 0.8 0.4 18.60 Lenard’s season was essentially defined by lost availability rather than a change in role. A stress fracture in his left leg required surgery and removed one of Miami’s intended perimeter scoring options, leaving Riley to patch together the rotation around Hardaway and Mourning. CBS News/AP: Lenard injury coverage —
Mark Strickland Frontcourt Depth Piece (1.0) 11.2 Low (1.0) 3.7 2.4 0.3 0.5 13.80 Strickland occupied the deep end of Miami’s forward rotation, providing size and occasional interior scoring without a regular offensive assignment. His presence mattered mainly as insurance behind Brown and the other veteran frontcourt pieces during a compressed schedule. SFGate: 1999 Heat roster outlook —
Rex Walters Backup Combo Guard (1.0) 15.3 Low (1.0) 3.1 1.5 1.8 0.4 13.60 Walters was used as a reserve ball-handler who could cover either backcourt spot when Miami needed another organizer. His role was especially important during a season in which Riley had to continually shuffle the perimeter rotation around injuries and the arrivals of veteran guards. SFGate: 1999 Eastern Conference capsule —
Blue Edwards Veteran Wing Reserve (1.0) 11.8 Low (1.0) 3.2 1.4 1.3 0.9 13.60 Edwards joined Miami in February specifically because injuries had stripped away perimeter scoring. He was asked to provide productive minutes rather than become a featured scorer, and his own description of the job was essentially to come off the bench and contribute without disrupting the established hierarchy. CBS News: Edwards signs with Heat —
Duane Causwell Rim-Protection Reserve (1.0) 7.2 Low (1.0) 2.3 1.8 0.1 0.6 9.60 Causwell was a situational center whose main usefulness came from size and shot-blocking when Mourning needed a breather. His minutes remained limited, but the Heat could deploy another seven-footer without changing their preference for a physical interior defense. SFGate: 1999 Heat roster coverage —
Mark Davis Emergency Wing Reserve (1.0) 8.8 Low (1.0) 2.3 1.8 0.3 0.3 9.40 Davis was brought in during the chaotic opening of the shortened season and functioned as emergency perimeter depth rather than a regular part of Riley’s core rotation. The limited minutes reflected how quickly the veteran-heavy lineup reclaimed the available wing responsibilities. Deseret News: 1999-00 Atlantic Division preview —
Keith Askins Defensive Utility Wing (1.0) 12.6 Low (1.0) 1.6 1.3 0.3 0.6 7.60 Askins was the classic Riley specialist: physical perimeter defense, willingness to guard difficult assignments and enough spot-up shooting to stay playable. His importance was more about trust and matchup utility than offensive production, which explains why he remained part of the rotation despite the tiny scoring load. SFGate: Miami roster and free-agent coverage —
Marty Conlon Veteran Interior Reserve (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 1.1 0.7 0.1 0.1 4.00 Conlon occupied a specialist reserve role at center, giving Riley another experienced body for emergency frontcourt minutes. Contemporary roster coverage identified him among Miami’s returning reserve pieces, but the shortened schedule left little room for him behind Mourning and the other bigs. SFGate: Miami roster coverage —
Jamie Watson Emergency Wing Depth (1.0) 6.0 Low (1.0) 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.0 2.60 Watson’s season was almost entirely about roster coverage during the compressed schedule. He was signed as additional forward depth, saw only three appearances and was subsequently released, making him more of a temporary rotation insurance piece than a player with a defined offensive responsibility. UPI Archives: 1999 Heat roster moves —
Team Totals — 240.5 — 89.0 40.3 20.4 12.6 515.18 1998-99 Miami finished 33-17 and first in the Atlantic Division. The identity was built around Mourning’s rim protection, Hardaway’s orchestration and Riley’s emphasis on physical half-court defense. Sporting News: 1998-99 season retrospective Atlantic Division Champion (1999)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Alonzo Mourning Defensive Anchor (1.1) 38.8 High (1.2) 21.6 8.2 0.8 4.4 92.40 Rim protection was the foundation of Miami’s playoff defense, with Mourning controlling the paint while also carrying the interior scoring burden. He blocked 14 shots in five games, and the series coverage repeatedly emphasized his ability to make Patrick Ewing work for position and finish over length. Basketball Network NBA All-Star (1999); MVP voting – 2nd (1999); Defensive Player of the Year (1999); All-NBA First Team (1999); All-Defensive First Team (1999)
Tim Hardaway Franchise Floor General (1.1) 36.4 High (1.2) 9.0 2.8 6.4 1.2 51.22 Hardaway remained Miami’s primary organizer despite a miserable shooting series, using his handle and pick-and-roll experience to keep the offense moving when New York crowded Mourning. His 6.4 assists showed the continuing responsibility, while Game 4 provided his best scoring stretch and briefly restored the pull-up threat Miami needed. Sports Illustrated NBA All-Star (1999); All-NBA Second Team (1999)
P.J. Brown Starting Interior Enforcer (1.05) 28.8 Medium (1.1) 10.2 6.2 1.0 0.8 42.04 Brown supplied the physical frontcourt work that allowed Miami to play its preferred grinding style. His rebounding and interior defense mattered more than his modest offensive volume, and his history with the Knicks rivalry was hardly incidental; his physicality had already become one of the defining features of Miami’s playoff identity. Washington Post All-Defensive Second Team (1999)
Terry Porter Sixth Man Lead Guard (1.0) 27.8 Medium (1.1) 9.0 3.8 3.0 0.6 36.08 Veteran control was Porter’s main value off the bench, but he could still swing a playoff quarter with timely shooting. He erupted for 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting in Miami’s Game 4 comeback, then handled the closing minutes of the deciding game before his desperation three-point attempt fell short. Los Angeles Times Sixth Man of the Year voting – 5th (1999)
Jamal Mashburn Secondary Wing Creator (1.05) 30.4 Medium (1.1) 10.0 2.6 2.0 0.4 34.65 As Miami’s larger secondary creator, Mashburn gave the Heat a way to attack from the wing when Hardaway’s jumper disappeared. His shooting was uneven across the series, but his size allowed him to work inside against smaller matchups, and the playoff rotation continued to use him as a key offensive counter beside Mourning. Los Angeles Times Archive —
Dan Majerle Defensive Wing Specialist (1.05) 30.4 Low (1.0) 4.0 5.8 1.2 1.4 26.04 Majerle’s assignment was largely defensive and connective rather than shot creation. He spent the series chasing New York’s perimeter threats, rebounded well from the guard spot and hit two important threes in Game 2, although his 1-for-5 shooting in Game 5 illustrated how little offensive margin Miami had around Mourning. CBS News —
Clarence Weatherspoon Physical Second-Unit Forward (1.0) 22.4 Low (1.0) 5.8 4.2 0.4 1.6 24.00 Weatherspoon gave Riley a rugged reserve who could rebound, defend and attack the glass without needing designed touches. He was particularly useful in Game 4, scoring 14 points with six rebounds as Miami’s bench helped overturn a four-point deficit in the final quarter. UPI Archives —
Voshon Lenard Instant-Offense Shooting Reserve (1.0) 14.3 Medium (1.1) 9.3 0.3 0.8 0.3 23.54 Lenard was the classic streak scorer in this matchup, capable of changing the geometry of the game without dominating possessions. After barely playing in one game, Riley turned to him in Game 4 and Lenard responded with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including timely perimeter baskets that helped revive Miami’s offense. Washington Post Archive —
Mark Strickland Frontcourt Insurance Reserve (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.5 0.0 0.5 8.00 Strickland’s postseason role was strictly situational, providing another body for the frontcourt when Riley needed size or foul coverage. His two appearances and eight total minutes underline how narrowly defined that responsibility became once Miami settled on Mourning, Brown and Weatherspoon for most of the interior rotation. Los Angeles Times —
Duane Causwell Shot-Blocking Center Reserve (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 5.20 Causwell was used as a situational seven-footer rather than an offensive option. His value came from occupying the paint and offering another shot-blocking body behind Mourning, but the Knicks series gave Riley little reason to extend that matchup beyond five minutes per game. SFGate —
Keith Askins Defensive Utility Wing (1.0) 6.8 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.8 3.60 Askins was deployed almost entirely for defensive utility and lineup flexibility. Riley trusted him enough to use him in a rugged early-game lineup with Porter, Weatherspoon and Causwell, reflecting how Miami sometimes valued defensive discipline over offensive spacing in this unusually physical series. The Washington Post —
Rex Walters Emergency Ball-Handling Reserve (1.0) 4.3 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.0 2.60 Walters’ postseason minutes were essentially emergency point-guard duty. He appeared in only three games, but his ability to bring the ball up and make the next pass gave Riley a fallback option when the primary guards were unavailable or struggling. SFGate Archive —
Team Totals — 240.0 — 79.0 35.6 16.4 8.8 349.37 Miami’s playoff identity was built around Mourning’s interior defense, Hardaway’s orchestration and a veteran rotation designed to win through physical half-court basketball. The Heat held New York to 78 points in the deciding game but lost when Allan Houston’s jumper fell with 0.8 seconds remaining, ending the No. 1 seed’s season in five games. The New York Post Atlantic Division Champion (1999)