In leaked details, Heat to host Cavaliers once this season

Whether the Miami Heat pull off a Kyrie Irving trade, they will only host LeBron James and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers once this season.

A tentative schedule circulated and confirmed to the Miami Herald by a TV industry source revealed several Heat highlights for the upcoming season.

For the second consecutive year, the Miami Heat will open the season at the Orlando Magic, this time Wednesday, Oct. 18. The league will start the season two weeks early this year to reduce the number of back-to-backs (but mainly, to incentivize coaches to avoid DNP-Rests for their star players). Miami’s home opener will come Saturday, Oct. 21 against the Indiana Pacers.

Soon after that, the Heat will take off for a West Coast swing that includes a Nov. 6 visit to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Last year, both of Miami’s games against the Warriors made for great entertainment. Will we get another Dion Waiters game-winning 3?

The Heat will also face the Chicago Bulls Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Will Dwyane Wade be a member of the Bulls or the Heat that night?

Miami’s game against the Cavaliers will come March 27. Considering the Kyrie Irving trade is probably a long shot, a better question might be whether it will be LeBron James’ last chance to play against the Heat as a Cavalier.