The Miami Heat will have a clear sense of how they measure up against the NBA’s top teams by Thanksgiving.
For full insights into the Heat’s 2024-25 season schedule, including national TV games, back-to-backs, and key matchups, click here. However, it’s easy to spot the most critical stretch of their season.
Between November 4 and 26, the Heat will face eight of the league’s top teams, with six of those matchups on the road. This challenging period includes games against the 2023 champions, the Denver Nuggets, the 2022 Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, an improved Phoenix Suns team, and a rising Minnesota Timberwolves squad. Additionally, they’ll face the Eastern Conference’s Indiana Pacers, fresh off a conference finals appearance, and a reloaded Philadelphia 76ers team with championship aspirations.
Here’s a look at that portion of the schedule:
– Nov. 4 vs Sacramento
– Nov. 6 at Phoenix
– Nov. 8 at Denver
– Nov. 10 at Minnesota
– Nov. 12 at Detroit
– Nov. 15 at Indiana
– Nov. 17 at Indiana
– Nov. 18 vs Philadelphia
– Nov. 24 vs Dallas
– Nov. 26 vs Milwaukee
The Heat can’t afford to take the first month of the season lightly, or they risk falling behind in the standings.
Five of their first six games are at home at Kaseya Center before embarking on a six-game road trip, which is the longest of the season. The opening games are relatively easy, featuring opponents like the Orlando Magic (on opening night), Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards. Among their first week’s opponents, only the New York Knicks, who they’ll face on October 30, had a winning record last season.
However, the Heat will then face three consecutive games against the Western Conference’s elite teams. Last season, the Heat went 0-6 against the Suns, Nuggets, and Timberwolves and lost to the Nuggets in five games in the 2023 Finals.
The Indiana Pacers, who made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference finals, return with their core players, including Pascal Siakam, who re-signed long-term, and Tyrese Haliburton, who won a gold medal alongside Bam Adebayo on Team USA.
After the six-game road trip, the Heat will return home to face the 76ers on the second night of a back-to-back. The Sixers made the offseason’s biggest move by signing Paul George to a max contract and also acquired Caleb Martin from Miami in free agency, which is a significant loss for the Heat.
Perennial MVP candidates Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with their star teammates Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard, round out this 10-game stretch.
Overall, the Heat will face nine playoff teams during this period, with the only exception being the Detroit Pistons.
This stretch is crucial for the Heat, who struggled against strong teams last season despite winning most of their games against weaker opponents. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Heat went 5-20 against teams in the top 10 in point differential last season.
By the end of November, the Heat will have tested themselves against these top teams, making this 10-game stretch a significant barometer of where they stand in the league.
The Heat believe they have a championship-caliber core. Without a major addition this summer, they are relying on better health, a more engaged Jimmy Butler, and internal improvement from players like Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and others to improve on last season’s disappointing outcome.
There’s no time to ease into the season, and falling behind in the standings, as they did with a 1-4 start last year, could be disastrous. The Heat need to be ready from the start, and by Thanksgiving, it will be clear whether their championship-caliber core is real.
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