Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards: A History of the Rivalry

When Do the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards Play Next?

Miami Heat tickets and Washington Wizards tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards Rivals?

The Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards have been battling each other in the same NBA division since the Heat’s first season in 1988. Yet, the games have been one-sided over the course of the rivalry. The Heat have more than double the amount of wins the Wizards have in the head-to-head contests over the 36-year span.

Who are the Miami Heat’s Biggest Rivals?

The Miami Heat have numerous rivalries and the biggest one is against the New York Knicks. The two teams faced off in four consecutive postseasons from 1997 to 2000 and six overall. Each team has won three of those playoff series. But bad blood runs deep in this rivalry that has featured notable fights (PJ Brown vs. Charlie Ward), unforgettable moments (Allan Houston’s game-winner in 1998, Jeff Van Gundy clinging to Alonzo Mourning’s leg during an on-court brawl), and Hall of Fame talent (Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Patrick Ewing, LeBron James, Ray Allen). The most recent playoff series came in 2023, when the Knicks and Heat both made surprise runs to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the Heat advanced. The Heat also have rivalries with the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and Indiana Pacers.

Who are the Washington Wizards’ Biggest Rivals?

The Washington Wizards have rivalries with the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls. But the team’s biggest rival is the Cleveland Cavaliers. These franchises have faced off five times in the postseason with Cleveland winning four of them. Cleveland won its first playoff series against Washington in 1976. But Washington, then the Bullets, got revenge the following year by knocking Cleveland out. The two teams met in three consecutive postseasons between 2006 and 2008. Frustratingly for the Wizards, LeBron James and the Cavs got the best of them each time.

Game Results Between the Heat & Wizards

The Heat and Wizards have only played one time so far this season. That was in Miami on Nov 3 as a part of the NBA In-Season Tournament and the Heat came away with the win. The next games are on February 2 in Washington, March 10 in Miami, and March 31 in Washington.

Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards History

The Heat vs. Wizards history has been a bit lopsided. The Heat have won 99 games and lost 46 to the Wizards. That includes a four-game sweep in the only postseason meeting between the two teams. That came in the 2005 Eastern Conference Semifinals when Dwyane Wade averaged 31 points in those four games. Gilbert Arenas’s 24.5 points per game for the Wizards wasn’t enough. For three straight seasons, from 2005 to 2007, the Heat Wizard games meant more as they finished in first and second place in the Southeast Division, with the Heat winning all three titles. It happened two more times, in 2014 and 2018, and the Heat won those division titles too.

Where Do the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat Play?

The Washington Wizards play at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Capital One Arena is also home to the Georgetown Hoyas and the Washington Capitals.

The Miami Heat play at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Kaseya Center opened in 1999 and is a popular entertainment venue.