The NBA released all 30 team game schedules this week. The Miami Heat’s beginning of the schedule includes several key projected playoff teams. As we look at Miami’s first 20-game slate, let’s examine some key matchups and how Miami will fare in them.
Miami Heat Schedule Preview: First 20 Games & Key Matchups
Miami’s Schedule Proves Uneasy From the Start
The Miami Heat’s schedule was released for the 2024-25 season. The first 20 games consist of strong opponents from both conferences, with a heavy dose coming from the West. One could argue that the Heat did not get any better this offseason. Miami lost some key role players in free agency and largely failed to replace those departures. Players who will have a say in how things go include Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and a healthy Terry Rozier. Hoping for better success this year than 2023-24, Miami will not have it easy.
Judging by Miami’s struggles to score and keep up with high-scoring teams last season, a handful of matchups at the beginning of the season beg the question: will Miami struggle to score against these teams? How will they match up with high-scoring offenses? Here is a breakdown of Miami’s schedule and key opponents in five-game groups.
Games 1–5
An opening night tilt with their Floridian neighbors against Orlando used to be an almost guaranteed win. However, the Paolo Banchero-led Magic proved that they are no longer a walkover last season. Orlando will be a competitive squad this year, and the Heat would do well not to overlook them. Miami also faces Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. If last year’s playoff display on the part of New York is something to take seriously, the Knicks will be a formidable opponent. They’re fast, high-flying, and steady on the defensive end. Miami can match their defense, but can they match New York’s pace?
Games 6–10
The next stretch of games is a killer stretch as Miami’s schedule includes four consecutive Western Conference opponents. After hosting the Sacramento Kings, Miami goes on the road to face the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. In other words, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, and Anthony Edwards in one stretch on their home turf. It’s still early in the season, but this will be a good opportunity for the Heat to see how they match up with the league’s best.
Games 11–15
Miami and the Indiana Pacers jockeyed back and forth in the standings last season, with Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers barely avoiding the play-in games by securing the sixth seed. Miami was left with the eighth seed. A back-to-back with both games in Indiana will be an actual test. Keeping up with the pace of the Pacers will be a challenge, but a good test if the two teams meet in the playoffs later in the year. Games 13, 14, and 15 are no sleepers, as the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks visit South Beach. This slate of matchups beginning against Indiana is the second five-game stretch of tough, playoff-bound opponents Miami will face in the first twenty games of their schedule.
Games 16–20
Following a home-and-home series with the Toronto Raptors, Miami will head on the road to face their Eastern Conference rival, the Boston Celtics. What should be a competitive and exciting matchup, Boston currently holds the last laugh after ousting the Heat in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs. It’s a fun rivalry game, nonetheless. Boston is projected to be sitting at the mountaintop of the East throughout the season. Despite last season’s playoff loss, Miami must show them they can still get the best of them. To close out the first twenty games, the Heat welcome the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s hard to say where the Lakers will be 20 games into their season, but either way, going up against LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be another tough test for Miami.
Getting Off To A Solid Start
The Miami Heat have no cakewalk in sight as they kick off the first month of their schedule. Games six through 16 are vital for Miami as their opponents are high-quality, top-tier NBA squads. They’ll get a significant taste of the West while facing a few playoff-seeking teams in their conference. These first 20 games will be a defining phase in Miami’s overall schedule. Getting off to a good start is precisely what the Heat desperately need if they want to compete and contend at the end of the season.
