According to a league source familiar with the preliminary schedules forwarded recently to teams, the Heat's first meeting with James' Cavaliers is scheduled for Christmas at AmericanAirlines Arena, in what the preliminary schedule lists only as a "night" game.

The Cavaliers also are listed on the preliminary version of the schedule to play March 16 at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Heat's two trips to Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland are scheduled for Feb. 11 and April 2, the first time in five years the Heat will arrive there to face James in visiting colors. James, in fact, hosted the Heat for Thanksgiving at his Akron-area estate a year ago when the Heat faced the Cavaliers.

-- South Florida Sun Sentinel