Notable Games Every Heat Fan Must Circle on their Calendars
By: Pedro Heizer
The 2012-13 NBA Schedule has been out for almost a week and NBA fans are already asking, “Will the Heat break the Bull’s 72-10 record?”
Miami will for sure be the center of attention yet again as 30 of Miami’s 82 games will be nationally televised on TNT, ESPN, ABC, or NBA TV.
If you’re not going to watch every single game of the season, at least make sure to circle these on your calendar, trust me:
October 30: Boston vs Miami (TNT)
The King will finally have a ring, Bosh will get his bling, and Wade will put on his second championship ring on October 30 as they will raise the 2012 NBA Championship Banner and then face the Boston Celtics here in Miami in what will be the first of four meetings between the heated rivals. Hopefully we won’t be massacred like last time we had a Banner celebration here in Miami.
November 2: Miami @ New York (ESPN)
Miami will then travel to the Big Apple and face the Knicks in a NBA Playoffs rematch. The Knicks will showcase their new point guards Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd in what will surely be an entertaining game.
LeBron James has always had great games under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, expect the same from the MVP this season.
November 5: Phoenix vs Miami
This isn’t a game many people will have circled, but I do. This will be the return of former number 2 overall pick Michael Beasley to his old stomping grounds.
As we all know, Beasley never produced in Miami and was dealt to the Timberwolves the night Lebron announced his intent on coming to Miami.
November 7: Brooklyn vs Miami
The new-look Brooklyn Nets will pay a visit to Miami on November 7, giving Heat fans the chance to see all-stars Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez.
I for one am looking forward to seeing what the Nets will look like this season with the addition of Joe Johnson. Can DWill lead this team to the playoffs? Will the Nets have superman in the near future?
November 12: Miami @ Houston
This is interesting for two reasons:
1) Jeremy Lin will face the Heat once again for the first time since he was embarrassed in front of the nation when Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole put him in his place.
2) The Rockets might have superman and looking for a statement game early in the season versus the defending champions.
November 14: Miami @ LA Clippers (ESPN)
On November 14, it will be the first clash between Lob City West vs Lob City East in Los Angeles as Miami visits the Clippers in a possible NBA Finals preview. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
December 8: New Orleans vs Miami
Heat fans will have their first look at number one overall pick Anthony Davis, unibrow and all.
December 25: Oklahoma City vs Miami (ABC)
The highlight of the schedule is the Christmas Day game, when they play Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in an NBA Finals rematch. That’s ABC’s marquee 5:30 p.m. ET tipoff game. It’s the first of two games between the two teams, and it will be played in Miami. Their second meeting in Oklahoma City comes on Valentine’s Day and will be televised on TNT.
January 17: Miami @ LA Lakers (TNT)
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade, Andrew Bynum, Chris Bosh, Steve Nash…. Do I need to say anything else? This is the all-star game before the all-star game.
January 27: Miami @ Boston
The rivalry continues… Ray Allen will return to The Garden as Judas. After deciding to take his talents down to South Beach, Allen has become public enemy number one in Boston and seeing him back there as a member of the defending Champions will bring the worst of a fanbase that already hates the Heat.
February 21: Miami @ Chicago (TNT)
This will be Miami’s first visit to Chicago. The Bulls will want to prove to their home fans that they have what it takes to beat the Heat and hopefully we can see a Chicago team that has a Derrick Rose who is playing top-tier basketball and not a Derrick Rose who is in a suit in the bench.
March 20: Miami @ Cleveland
Speaking of cities that hold grudges, Miami will pay a visit to the Cavaliers in March. Remember when Dan Gilbert wrote that letter promising and assuring that the Cleveland Cavaliers would win a championship before LeBron and the Heat won one? Yeah, about that Dan.
