[1] During the off-season, the Heat signed free agents Otis Thorpe,[2][3][4] and undrafted rookie guard Anthony Carter.
[5][6][7] The Heat played the first two months of the regular season at the Miami Arena, and played their final home game there on December 28, 1999, against the Minnesota Timberwolves; the team then moved into the American Airlines Arena on January 2, 2000, against the Orlando Magic.
[14][15] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Bruce Bowen, who was previously released by the Chicago Bulls, who acquired him from the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team trade.
[16][17] The Heat went on a 7-game winning streak between March and April, and finished in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 52–30 record.
[18] Alonzo Mourning averaged 21.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game, and was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year;[19][20][21] he was also named to the All-NBA Second Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team, was selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game in Oakland, California,[22][23][24][25][26] and finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting behind Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett.