NBA opens 2013-14 season with Heat versus Bulls, Lakers versus Clippers

The NBA's 2013-14 season will tip off with the two-time defending champion Miami Heat taking on the Chicago Bulls, the league announced Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).

The NBA released the schedule for its 68th season, which will begin on October 29 (Oct. 30, PHL time) with a televised doubleheader on TNT that features the Heat against the Bulls and guard Derrick Rose in what could be his first game after missing last season with a knee injury.

The nightcap will be the Los Angeles Lakers facing the Los Angeles Clippers and new coach Doc Rivers.

The third game on opening day will be the Orlando Magic versus the Indiana Pacers.

The Heat will play the San Antonio Spurs, their opponent in the NBA Finals, on January 26 in Miami and on March 6 in San Antonio.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett return to Boston as new members of the Brooklyn Nets to face the Celtics on January 26 as well.

The annual Christmas Day schedule features Nets playing host to the Bulls, the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Knicks in New York, the Heat taking on the Lakers in Los Angeles, Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets traveling to the Spurs and the Golden State Warriors playing host to the Clippers.

There also will be two international games on the regular-season schedule for the first time. The Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves play on December 4 in Mexico City. The Nets and Atlanta Hawks meet on January 16 in London.

ESPN will televise 75 regular-season games, TNT will broadcast 52 and NBA TV will air 97. - Reuters