Heat 2015-16 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The 2014-15 NBA season was a transition year for the Miami Heat, but now that they are another year removed from the departure of LeBron James, they are ready to become players in the Eastern Conference once again. 

There has been a great deal of excitement surrounding the Heat based on their strong showing in both the draft and free agency, and things reached a fever pitch Wednesday with the release of the 2015-16 NBA schedule, which can be viewed here, courtesy of NBA.com.

In addition to returning stars such as Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Goran Dragic, Miami has brought in the likes of Duke forward Justise Winslow through the draft as well as Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green via free agency.

Add in other returning supporting cast members such as Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside and Mario Chalmers, and it is clear the Heat have enough depth and talent to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

After team president Pat Riley's retooling of the roster, Odds Shark gives the Heat 20-1 odds of winning the 2016 NBA championship.

That may not inspire a ton of confidence, but the success Miami has enjoyed under Riley is undeniable, as pointed out by Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post:

The Heat have some tough challenges to overcome in the Eastern Conference, as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks all figure to be strong once again, but they should certainly be in the mix.

Now that Miami's full slate of games has been made public, here is a look at some of the most intriguing matchups on tap, along with predictions for how the Heat will fare this season.

Analyzing Top Matchups

Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Date: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. ET

LeBron James did some incredible things during his four years with the Heat, as he led them to four NBA Finals appearances and two championships, but it is understandable if Miami and its fans still feel a bit betrayed by King James' decision to return to Cleveland.

Because of that, meetings between the Heat and Cavaliers will always have some added importance. That is especially true this year since Miami has built a team capable of doing some big things in the Eastern Conference.

LeBron and Riley have had somewhat of an icy public relationship since last offseason, but that didn't stop James from praising the job the Heat did this offseason, according to Lieser:

"I think Miami is doing some great things," James said. "They drafted the kid out of Duke, Justise (Winslow). I think he's gonna be a really good player. They added some big pieces. The re-signing of Dragic and (Bosh) coming back and getting D. Wade back. They're going to be a contender."

Losing a player of LeBron's caliber is never a good thing, but it certainly gave Riley more flexibility in terms of building a complete roster.

It also apparently renewed his vigor to take another run at a championship, per Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick:

A case can be made for the Heat being the second-best team in the Eastern Conference this season provided Wade and Bosh are able to stay healthy.

Heat fans have every reason to be excited again after missing the playoffs in 2014-15, and that will make for an unbelievable atmosphere when James returns to the American Airlines Arena during the upcoming campaign.

Miami Heat at Phoenix Suns

Date: Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at 9:30 p.m. ET

The Heat and Phoenix Suns don't exactly make for a natural rivalry, but with Miami now boasting three former Suns on its roster, its trip to the desert should make for an interesting game with no shortage of potential storylines.

Goran Dragic, Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green all previously played in Phoenix. The latter two players were brought in as unrestricted free agents, while Goran decided to return to Miami after it traded for him last season.

While Dragic won the NBA Most Improved Player Award with the Suns in 2014 and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, his relationship with the organization quickly soured. When it became clear he wasn't interested in signing a long-term deal, he was shipped to Miami.

In what could be viewed as a veiled shot at the Suns, the Slovenian star was hugely complimentary of the Heat organization after deciding to remain in Miami, according to the team's official Twitter account:

There is likely plenty of disdain for Dragic in Phoenix after he essentially facilitated his departure, which means the Heat will have to deal with an extremely hostile environment at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

While Suns fans aren't likely to feel the same way about Green and Stoudemire, their arrival in Miami adds a bit of fuel to the fire as well.

Green was a key player for the Suns as a high-flyer and three-point shooter, while Stoudemire made the All-Star team five times with Phoenix.

Although Stoudemire isn't the same player he once was due to injuries, he was a very productive reserve player with the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks last season.

Riley believes he will add a lot to a team with playoff and championship aspirations, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:

Games are always more special when players return to their former stomping grounds, and the Heat will bring no shortage of ex-Suns with them to Phoenix this season.

Miami looks like the far superior team on paper, but don't be surprised if it's a closer game than expected since the hometown Suns will have plenty of incentive to defeat their former teammates.

Record Prediction

If not for Bosh being knocked out for the season with blood clots and Wade missing numerous games due to injury as well, it is likely the Heat would have made the playoffs and had an opportunity to do some damage last season.

That didn't come to fruition, as Miami won just 37 games, but it may have been for the better because it allowed the Heat to steal Winslow with the No. 10 pick in the NBA draft. That, along with all of the other additions, makes Miami a force to be reckoned with.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra made it clear that last year's struggles should have much to do with the 2015-16 campaign, according to Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald:

Many teams would look to get younger and sell off assets after a 37-win season, but Riley firmly believes he has a team capable of going all the way, per Lieser:

"

The expectation for us is I just want to keep the team and hope the team can stay healthy. I believe they will. I think all the players are coming back highly motivated. And I think with a complete roster that we can contend in the East, and that's where it all starts—and I mean contend high. That's the way it's been the last 20 years. We're gonna go for it. I don't think we'll ever be a team that does three, four, five years of rebuilding.

"

Although the Eastern Conference isn't exactly littered with top teams, overcoming the likes of the Cavs, Bulls, Hawks, Washington Wizards and others won't be easy.

Provided the team remains healthy and the players jell together, though, a case can certainly be made for the Heat having the best chance to knock off Cleveland.

Look for Miami to nab a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, which will give them a legitimate shot at advancing to at least the Eastern Conference Finals.

Projected record: 50-32

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