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Miami Heat: Top 10 greatest single-game performances in history

By Michael Shofner

INDIANAPOLIS, IND - MAY 20: LeBron James #6 and Dwyane Wade #30 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Indiana Pacers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 20, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2014 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IND - MAY 20: LeBron James #6 and Dwyane Wade #30 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Indiana Pacers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 20, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2014 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, : Chris Childs of the New York Knicks (L) watches Tim Hardaway of the Miami Heat (R) drive past him during the final game of their second round series at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida 18 May. The winner will play the Chicago Bulls in the conference finals. AFP PHOTO/RHONA WISE (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images)
MIAMI, : Chris Childs of the New York Knicks (L) watches Tim Hardaway of the Miami Heat (R) drive past him during the final game of their second round series at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida 18 May. The winner will play the Chicago Bulls in the conference finals. AFP PHOTO/RHONA WISE (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images) /

No.6: Tim Hardaway

May 18, 1997 vs. New York Knicks
(Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals)

38 points (12-20), (6-10 3PT), (8-10 FT), 7 assists, 5 steals

The 1996-97 season was a fruitful one for Tim Hardaway and the Miami Heat.

The team recorded their best regular season record, finishing with 61 wins and 21 losses, second best in the Eastern Conference behind the Bulls who were 69-13. This Heat squad was touted as being a real threat to dethrone Jordan and the Bulls in the playoffs.

Hardaway finished the season averaging 20.3 points and 8.6 assists per game.

After narrowly escaping the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs, the Heat took on the 57-win New York Knicks. The team quickly fell behind in the series, winning only one of the first four games. Miami won Game 5 easily and were delivered a bit of luck when it was announced that three key Knicks players (Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Charlie Ward), were suspended for Game 6 at the Garden for their involvement in a fight that occurred during Game 5.

The Knicks would still hold their own despite missing these key players, but a 31 point fourth quarter rally secured a Miami win and forced a deciding game.

With a full Knicks squad back, the Heat were in for a challenging Game 7.

Tim Hardaway was up for that challenge.

Hardaway helped complete the miraculous 1-3 Heat comeback, dropping 38 points on New York, adding six 3-pointers and seven assists. His defense was also instrumental, providing five steals.

The Heat advanced to face the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals but the team that was supposed to be Jordan’s biggest threat, fell in just five games. Nonetheless, Hardaway’s gutsy Game 7 performance against the Knicks is definitely deserving to be on this list.

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