MIAMI — In a season expected to have more meaning that recent years will come games with greater expectation for the Miami Heat. In that regard, it is difficult to produce a Top 10 list off the schedule released Thursday, considering what will be at stake for Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and, to a degree, even the Heat front office. Plenty will be at play from the outset, with the mundane largely giving way to the meaningful. Such as . . . Oct. 21 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Antetokounmpo’s first game in a Heat uniform automatically makes the season opener meaningful. But there is even more at play with the Timberwolves in the offseason adding LaMelo Ball. As in the LaMelo Ball whose cheap-shot foul sidelined Adebayo in last season’s play-in loss in Charlotte. As in the LaMelo Ball who scored the winning basket in overtime that night. As in the LaMelo Ball who the NBA after the fact said should have been ejected for that first-half foul. So figure on cheers for Giannis and (plenty of ) jeers for LaMelo. Nov. 18, Feb. 4 vs. Milwaukee Bucks: These will be the Bucks’ two visits of the season, which, barring trades in the interim, will bring back Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis — the four players who were traded, in addition to draft capital, for Antetokounmpo. While the reception should be warm, the chips on the shoulders could be considerable from the returning players. Nov. 27 at New York Knicks: The first of the season’s three matchups figures to stand as a considerable measuring stick for the Heat against the defending NBA champions. Further factoring into the nationally televised Black Friday game is that the matchup concludes the Heat’s pool play in the NBA Cup, which could draw margin of victory into the equation. Dec. 12 vs. New York Knicks: The Knicks’ lone visit of the season comes in an intriguing spot, with the championship game of the NBA Cup scheduled the previous night in Indianapolis. That means it would create a back-to-back set if either team were to advance to the Dec. 11 NBA Cup finale. As it is, Insufferable snowbird Knicks fans figure to be even more insufferable at Kaseya Center with last season’s championship in hand. Dec. 14 at Chicago Bulls: Heat vs. Norman Powell could be particularly intriguing, particularly in light of the guard’s recent comments about how the Heat never came to the table during NBA free agency. The game is the first of three for the Heat against the Bulls over a 10-day span, so Powell play could be a telling factor in the Heat’s success to close December. Dec. 25 at Boston Celtics: Yes, Jaylen Brown is gone, but the Celtics owned the Heat in last season’s four-game series, even with the Heat several times pushing to considerable early leads. If the Heat aren’t motivated enough to make a statement against the Celtics in this Christmas Day showcase, then when? Jan. 20 at San Antonio Spurs: Although Erik Spoelstra hardly would accept it as such, this could be the season’s ultimate “schedule loss,” with the game completing a back-to-back set that opens the previous night against the Portland Trail Blazers at Kaseya Center. This is the only back-to-back set of the season for the Heat out of their 13 that crosses time zones. The first of the season’s two matchups against the defending Western Conference champions (the other is Feb. 15 in Miami), could offer a read of how the Heat’s front-line size matches up against Victor Wembanyama. Jan. 28 at Milwaukee Bucks: Antetokounmpo’s return to Milwaukee for the first time since July’s trade should be emotional for all involved. There will be plenty of time for Giannis to immerse himself in the moment, with the Heat idle the previous two days. The Heat also play in Milwaukee on March 12, a month after the NBA trade deadline, which could mean some of the dealt Heat players having been moved on by then. Related Articles
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Jan. 30 vs. Philadelphia 76ers: This will be the first of two visits by LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid (if he’s healthy enough), as the Heat take measure against the East’s most improved roster. To put perspective on the perception of the matchup, consider that all four Heat-76ers games this season will be nationally televised, the first two on ESPN, then one on ABC and one on Prime. Feb. 12 vs. Orlando Magic: In an odd quirk of scheduling, the first of the Heat’s four matchups against their prime geographic rival will not come until well past the midpoint of the season. For the Heat, the first step toward tangible progress will be tangible progress against Orlando, which went 5-0 against the Heat last season. The Heat then will face the Magic twice over the final seven days of the regular season.