Washington Wizards (0-0) at Miami Heat (0-0), 7:30 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Miami Heat will begin their post-LeBron world on Wednesday night when they open the 2014-15 season at home against the Washington Wizards.
LeBron James left the Heat via free agency this past summer. He returned home to Cleveland to play for the Cavs which left the Heat holding the bag in trying pick up the pieces.
After four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals, and two victories, James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are done as the modern version of the Big Three.
Pat Riley did a nice job replacing James, as best anyone can replace the best player on the planet. Luol Deng, formerly of the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, does everything James did, just not as well. Deng can defend, shoot and slash and has been to two All-Star games.
Josh McRoberts was pried away from the Charlotte Hornets to be the stretch four the team needs. That means Bosh will man the middle. He hasn't played much on the interior since he joined the Heat. Can he do it again, especially after signing a max deal to stay in South Beach this summer?
"Digging up what I had before and that's as far as aggressiveness, volume of shots, minutes, rebounds, leadership this team is going to require from me in the absence of LeBron," Bosh explained. "It's a different challenge."
Wade will also have to stay on the floor for the Heat to remain in the postseason. He missed 28 regular-season games, which was fine for head coach Erik Spoelstra. Spo had James to fall back on, but he's in Cleveland, so Wade will need to be on the floor for Miami.
"My role is going to change a little bit," Wade told NBA TV. "I'm excited."
The Heat have won four Southeast Division titles, but the Wizards are now the favorites. With a dynamic backcourt of John Wall, who made his first All-Star team last season, and Bradley Beal, the Wizards are ready to continue their ascension.
Washington upset the Chicago Bulls in the first round last postseason and had trouble with the Indiana Pacers in round two.
The Wiz improved in the offseason with the signing of future Hall-of-Famer Paul Pierce. He's still a productive scorer, quality defender and he'll be needed immediately with Beal out for months with a broken left wrist.
Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair were also brought in to fortify the frontcourt with incumbent big men, Marcin Gortat and Nene.
However, some of the new personnel will be absent on Wednesday night for different reasons.
Nene and Blair are both suspended due to a preseason incident between the team and the Chicago Bulls. Martell Webster, like Beal, will be shelved a while. His problem is his back, but Humphries (hand) and Glen Rice (ankle) will both try to go on Wednesday.
"Just because these guys are out, doesn't mean we can't go down to Miami and get the job done," Pierce said.
The Heat and Wizards split four meetings last season with the home team prevailing each time. Miami has won five of its last seven and four straight as the host in this series.