The NBA released the 2011-12 schedule on Tuesday afternoon with a triple-header of action on opening night - November 1 - that includes the World Champion Dallas Mavericks hosting the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder traveling to Los Angeles to face the Lakers.
One team NOT included in the opening night festivities are the Miami Heat. They open the season on Wednesday, November 2 with a trip to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also open their 2011-12 season on the road, heading to Boston to face the Celtics. Cleveland will take on the Toronto Raptors in the Home Opener at The Q on Friday, November 4. Cleveland won't spend long at home, however, taking their first trip to the West Coast starting November 6. The Wine and Gold will play 3 games in 4 nights against the Los Angeles Clippers(11/6), Denver Nuggets(11/7) and Sacramento Kings(11/9) in the first meeting between the Cavaliers and J.J. Hickson.
What about the Miami Heat, you ask?
The Cavaliers and Heat will play four times next season, with the Heat coming to Cleveland on Friday, November 18, a game that will be televised on ESPN. The Heat will also be at The Q on February 17, 2012 while the Cavaliers will head to South Beach on March 7 and April 6.
The Novemeber 18th matchup is the only time the Cavaliers are scheduled to be on ESPN/ABC or TNT all season. Cleveland will play 13 games in November, with 6 at home and 7 on the road.
Check out the complete 2011-12 NBA Schedule; Cavaliers site Fear The Sword talk about the Cavs schedule as well!