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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, FL – MARCH 29: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Miami Heat shoots against Gheorghe Muresan #77 of the Washington Bullets on March 29, 1996 at Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Richard Lewis/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 29: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Miami Heat shoots against Gheorghe Muresan #77 of the Washington Bullets on March 29, 1996 at Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Richard Lewis/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No.4: Alonzo Mourning

March 29, 1996 vs. Washington Bullets

50 points (17-24), (16-17 FT), 12 rebounds, 1 assist

Alonzo Mourning joined the Miami Heat after the 1994-95 season when he was traded from the Charlotte Hornets. Mourning immediately became the centerpiece for a fresh, newly formed Heat squad that was run by head coach/GM Riley.

Mourning had a terrific first year in South Beach, establishing career-highs across the board, along with also being named the first-ever Miami Heat All-Star.

During the tail end of the 1995-96 Heat campaign, the big man delivered the best performance of this career, when he matched up against the Washington Bullets on March 29. Mourning reached the half-century mark while shooting at a high percentage from the floor (70 percent) and the charity stripe (94 percent).

His scoring performance was even more impressive when seeing who he was matched up against.  Gheorghe Muresan was a Romanian-born NBA player who greatly towered over everybody in the league with his 7-foot, 7-inch frame.

Yes, that’s right. Mourning dropped 50 and managed to secure 12 boards opposite the tallest player in NBA history. It was most certainly no small feat (pun intended).

“Zo” was a mainstay for Miami for eight seasons, before dealing with issues with a kidney disease.

He would later rejoin the team in a backup role for an additional four seasons that culminated in an NBA Championship in the 2005-06 season. He is one of the franchise’s greatest players to ever wear the uniform and was honored on March 30, 2009, when he became the first Heat player to have his number retired.

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