The Five Key Stretches Of The Miami Heat's Schedule

Here are five stretches of the season that could be of the most significance:

1. The start: It's brutal on paper, and it comes at a time when the Heat will be incorporating Norman Powell into their lineup. The first three games are against playoff teams and then, after a reprieve against rebuilding Charlotte, the next four are on the road, three against likely West contenders and the other against Victor Wembanyama. The Heat can't afford to go 2-6 or something of the sort.

2. Early November at home: You'd think the Heat would benefit from being at Kaseya Center. But they really didn't last season. And there's a back-to-back home series against Cleveland that could get ugly, followed by a road-home set with the Knicks .... and then Jimmy Butler and the Warriors arrive, likely anxious for payback after the Heat embarassed them last season.

3. A pair of 4-game trips: In early January and late January, the Heat play eight games on the road. They'll need to clean up on the last three of those games, though they've had problems in Sacramento, Utah and Portland at times in the past.

4. Just before the trade deadline: That is February 5 this season. The Heat have four home games right before, the last three against Chicago and Atlanta. Let's see how they look after those, and whether it affects decisions.

5. The end: Will the Heat be playing for the playoffs? The play-in? Anything? If so, they do close fairly soft. Two against Washington, two against Toronto, one against Atlanta. That could propel a final push.