Honorable Mentions
Before we reveal the greatest individual Heat performance of all-time, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions that just missed the Top 10.
Hassan Whiteside
January 25, 2015 vs. Chicago Bulls
14 points (6-10), 13 rebounds, 12 blocks (Heat franchise record)
Whiteside delivered an impressive outing against Chicago coming off the bench, playing in just 24 minutes. Along with setting the franchise record, blocking 12 shots, he became just the fourth player in the last 25 years with at least 12 points, 12 rebounds and 12 blocks and the first since Manute Bol.
Shaquille O’Neal
May 6, 2006 vs. Chicago Bulls
30 points (13-24), 20 rebounds (Heat playoff record), 5 assists, 2 blocks
(Clinching Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round)
This definitely wasn’t the most dominant stat line Shaq has ever put up in the playoffs during his storied career, as he’s had some absolutely gaudy games in his prime with the Lakers. But the Big Aristotle showed that he could still deliver a staggering performance, even at 34-years-old.
Tim Hardaway
April 19, 1996 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
17 points (6-14), 19 assists (Heat franchise record), 2 rebounds, 2 assists
As somebody who appreciates the art of passing and getting the rest of the team involved, I felt like I needed to mention Hardaway’s 1996 performance as he set the Heat franchise record when he helped his teammates find the hole 19 times against Vin Baker and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dwyane Wade
May 10, 2005 vs. Washington Wizards
31 points (10-15), (11-19 FT), 7 rebounds, 15 assists (Heat playoff record)
(Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals)
The 2004-05 season was a breakout season for the sophomore Wade and he showcased his progress in the Eastern Conference Semifinals when he set the Heat playoff record by dishing out 15 assists against the fifth seeded Wizards. The Heat would eventually fall in the Conference Finals but Wade would carry his postseason success over into the next year when the Miami Heat captured their first NBA Championship with No.3 at the helm.
Hassan Whiteside
November 11, 2015 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
22 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocks
(Sigh…)
Making his second appearance on the Honorable Mention list, it’s almost depressing when you see the games that Whiteside used to produce and be capable of in a Heat uniform. Hopefully, the upcoming 2018-19 season has more games with these type of numbers in store for Whiteside, as opposed to his underperforming ones from recent years past.