In the first round of the
playoffs, the Heat confronted their in-state rivals, the
Orlando Magic. The Heat won the first two games. In Orlando, the Magic defeated the Heat to force a fifth game. The Heat won the decisive Game 5 at home, 91–83. Winning their first ever playoff series. In the following round, the Heat were matched up against Pat Riley's former team, the
New York Knicks. After the first four games, the Knicks had a 3–1 series lead. The Heat won Game 5 although the game was remembered for P. J. Brown fighting with Heisman Trophy winner
Charlie Ward. Some Knicks players came off the bench and earned automatic suspensions, and Brown was suspended for the rest of the series. The Heat players stayed on the bench and gained an advantage for the rest of the series. The Heat eliminated the undermanned Knicks in seven games and
one of the most heated rivalries in the NBA was born. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat were defeated by the eventual NBA champion
Chicago Bulls in five games. ==Player statistics==