The season ended with the Detroit Pistons winning the NBA Championship, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers.
Notes The League expands from twenty-three to twenty-five franchises, with new expansion teams in Charlotte and Miami.
The Heat began its season as a member of the Western Conference despite its geographical position, enduring its longest road trips when playing Western Conference teams.
It also began the season 0–17, at the time the worst start in NBA history.
[4] The Sacramento Kings were belatedly moved to the Pacific Division in their fourth season after leaving Kansas City.