2010–11 Miami Heat season
The 2010–11 Miami Heat season was the 23rd season of the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In the regular season, the Heat finished first in the Southeast Division with 58–24 record, and made the NBA playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year as the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed (behind the Chicago Bulls).
| 2010–11 Miami Heat season | |
|---|---|
Conference champions | |
Division champions | |
| Head coach | Erik Spoelstra |
| President | Pat Riley |
| Owner(s) | Micky Arison |
| Arena | American Airlines Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 58–24 (.707) |
| Place | Division: 1st (Southeast) Conference: 2nd (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | NBA Finals (lost to Mavericks 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | Sun Sports |
| Radio | 790 The Ticket |
Marked by the acquisition of perennial All-Stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh entering the 2010 NBA Free Agency period during the off-season, the Heat opened the season with extraordinarily high expectations, with many observers expecting a championship in the first year of the new lineup. With Bosh, James, and Wade having been ranked among the NBA's top players for many seasons in addition to being frequently sought-after big names looking to be courted by multiple teams during the 2010 NBA Free Agency signing spree at the time, team stars and 2003 draftees Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James were predicted to potentially win an NBA championship in their first season together. Though the 2010-11 Miami Heat advanced to the 2011 NBA Finals after beating the Philadelphia 76ers, defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, and the Chicago Bulls, the team fell just short of their championship hopes by losing to the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games in the NBA Finals, in a rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals, which the Heat won in 6 games for their first championship.
Even though Miami's playoff run ended in disappointing fashion, the Heat nonetheless enjoyed a successful year, despite witnessing a sluggish 9–8 start to the regular season. They finished the regular season with 58 wins, won the Southeast Division, and entered the 2011 playoffs as the Eastern Conference's second seed. Pat Riley was named NBA Executive of the Year. Wade, James, and Bosh were all selected to the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, the most Heat players sent to an NBA All-Star game in franchise history. James earned All-NBA First Team honors, while Wade was bestowed with All-NBA Second Team honors.