LeBron James, whose free agency defection to Miami broke the hearts of Cavaliers fans, will return to Cleveland to face his old club for the first time on December 2, the NBA announced Tuesday.
The fixture was announced as the league unveiled its full schedule for the 2010-11 season.
Cleveland comes to Miami on December 15 and January 31. The Heat also visit the Cavaliers on March 29.
A few key dates had been released last week. Miami's first game will be on October 26 at Boston and the star-studded Heat team will take on the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day.
The Lakers and Celtics will meet for the first time since game seven of the NBA finals on January 30 in Los Angeles.
The rematch in Boston comes on February 10.
Chris Bosh, who like James went to Miami via free agency to form a superstar trio with Dwyane Wade, will face his old fans for the first time when Miami visit Toronto on February 16.
The revamped Heat will play eight of their first 12 games at home, including a six-game homestand from November 6-19.
The longest road trip the Heat will have is a five-game swing against Milwaukee, Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver and Chicago in January. That's when a circus makes its yearly stop at Miami's arena.
The Heat have two six-game homestands, the one in November followed by another against Chicago, Portland, the Lakers, Memphis, San Antonio and Oklahoma City in March.
League rules allow a team to be on national television as many as 34 times. The schedule released Tuesday shows Miami on nationwide television 29 times.
All four of Miami's games with Boston and Orlando are planned for national TV broadcasts.
Cleveland, whose games were a national television staple when James led the Cavs, has just three contests scheduled for nationwide broadcast.
Copyright 2010 AFP American Edition
