Prior to the game, the Heat's players will be rewarded for their excellent play during the 2012 NBA Finals with a championship ring ceremony. Afterwards, they'll try to secure their first win of the season against their rivals.
Ever since LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to join forces with Dwyane Wade in Miami, the Heat's rivalry with the Celtics has turned into one of the best in the league. The Celtics were a win away from sending the "big three" on an early summer vacation during the 2012 playoffs, but LeBron refused to be denied. "King James" carried the Heat past the Celtics -- for the second straight season -- eventually leading them to the NBA title.
With Ray Allen's decision to leave Boston for Miami, the rivalry between the two teams will only intensify.
The Heat have never won consecutive NBA titles in franchise history (they've only gone all the way twice), but they're poised to do just that this season. However, the road to a "repeat" won't be easy. The San Antonio Spurs and the Harden-less Oklahoma City Thunder are still serious contenders, but the new and improved Los Angeles Lakers will probably be the biggest obstacle in Miami's road to consecutive titles.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Heat and Lakers battling it out in Game 7 of the 2013 NBA finals.
"Ultimately, we want to defend our title," LeBron said about Miami's goals for the upcoming season. "But we don't want to shortcut anything. We've never been a team that's been that way. We're going to work each and every day to get better, on the court or film sessions, whatever the case may be."
David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
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