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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:13 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2008

NBA: Heat, Riley go out with win over Hawks

By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI — If this was Pat Riley's final game, it was a victorious one.

Jason Williams scored 17 points, Mark Blount and Daequan Cook each added 16 and the Heat ended their disappointing season with a 113-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Miami finished 15-67, matching the 1988-89 expansion team for the worst record in franchise history.

The Miami Heat coach and president, who announced last summer he would remain on the sideline through the end of the 2009-2010 season, refused to say earlier today if that plan has changed.

Yet he's aware tonight's finale against Atlanta could be the 1,904th and final regular-season game of his Hall of Fame coaching career. After that, a round of exit interviews with players and staff await tomorrow, followed by a meeting with Heat owner Micky Arison, which will presumably take place early next week.

From there, the question — "Will he stay or go?" — will likely be answered.

"Borne out of that conversation, I'll make a decision," Riley said. "The conversation with him is going to be important for a lot of reasons. I really want to do what's in the best interest of the Heat."

The Heat spent much of the season without Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright because of injuries.

Riley dismissed the notion that he wouldn't want his career to end on such a down note, saying "there's no perfect time." And players said they weren't sure if Riley was leaning one way or another.

"When you're in the midst of this kind of season, you've got to give it thought," Riley said. "I've been at this 25 years. I know what's going on. Hard evaluation on yourself is the first thing that you have to really assess."