The Miami heat is a National Basketball Association team in Miami , Florida , USA . The Heat is one of seven teams in the Atlantic Divisions of the Eastern Conferen ce of the National Basketball Association. The Heat Play in American Airlines Arena in Miami , Florida and wear jerseys of red, gold and white. In 1987, after some influence from Billy Cunningham, the NBA voted to expand itself by adding four new teams, Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. The Heat entered the NBA in 1988 when the league granted an expansion team franchise to a group of investors that included Ted Arison, Lewis Schaffel and former Philadelphia 76ers star Billy Cunningham. Miami heat used its 1988 draft picks to select center Rony Seikaly, guard Kevin Edwards and forward Grant Long. Finishing the year with a 15-67 win loss record, Miami used its poor finish to its advantage, selecting forward Glen Rice and guard Sherman Douglas in the 1989 NBA Draft. The franchise's record slowly improved over the next few years and during the 1991-92 season the Heat registered a 38-44 record, qualifying for its first playoff appearance.
Playing the league-best Chicago Bulls, the Heat were swept in three games. Steve Smith made the NBA All-Rookie team and Glen Rice Finished 10 th in the NBA in scoring. In 2003 Pat Riley stepped down as coach of the Heat to focus more on being team president and promoted assistant coach, Stan Van Gundy to the head coaching position. The Heat then drafted Dwyane Wade in the 2003 NBA Draft and signed players Lamar Odom and Rafer Alston. The Heat entered in the 2004 NBA Playoffs, where they beat New Orleans 4-3, then lost to the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the conference semifinals. The Heat Acquired Shaquille O'Neal on July 14, 2004 in a historic trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in which shipped Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant out west. Riley became coach of the Heat for the second time on December 12, 2005 , after Van Gundy stepped due to personal and family reasons. The franchise went on to win its first three games under Riley until losing to LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers. Dwayne Wade has been amazing and O'Neal has stepped his game up in a tremendous fashion, helping the Heat resurge and become the team which Pat Riley was seeking at the beginning of his tenure. The Miami Heat has won five Division titles recently one in 2005.
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