Heat 2016-17 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

Next season is going to feature some memorable debuts from Kevin Durant making his first appearance with the loaded Golden State Warriors to Derrick Rose arriving to the Big Apple. No feeling will likely be more surreal than seeing the Miami Heat without Dwyane Wade, though.

The 34-year-old veteran spent 13 years with the Heat and seemed on track to become the next Kobe Bryant or Tim Duncan, spending his entire career with one franchise. Instead, he’s off to the Chicago Bulls and Miami must move on to a new era of basketball in South Beach.

So let’s check out all of the important information following the league’s schedule release as the Heat look to weather the offseason storm and remain in playoff contention. That’s followed by a prediction for how the regular season will play out for Miami.

2016-17 Details

Season Opener: Oct. 26 vs. Orlando Magic

Championship Odds: 66-1 (via Odds Shark)

Full Schedule: NBA.com

Top Matchups

Chicago Bulls- Nov. 10, Dec. 10, Jan. 27

In most cases, superstar players returning to a former home after taking the free-agent train to a new city receive a rude welcome. That shouldn’t be the case for Wade, who poured his heart and soul out for the Heat and was nevertheless treated as an afterthought this summer.

Fox Sports passed along comments from team president Pat Riley, who expressed regret about the way the process played out. He admitted there should have been a much greater sense of urgency on his part to make sure Wade felt wanted during free agency:

Miami Heat President Pat Riley feels ‘great regret’ about Dwyane Wade’s departure.https://t.co/ibFNAQKVnq

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 18, 2016

Meanwhile, the longtime Heat shooting guard stated the uncertainty in Miami gave him the opportunity to explore other options. Returning to his native Chicago is something he always thought about and now it’s become reality, as he explained to Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated.

“As someone who understands the business, and have wants and needs, I felt this was the best decision for myself at this time,” Wade said. “I’m also a guy who has a dream as well. And one of my dreams is always to play for my hometown team. And …

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