Miami Heat Included in NBA’s Christmas Day Showcase Amid Damian Lillard Trade Rumors
The Miami Heat will be making a return to the NBA’s Christmas Day showcase this year for the first time in three years. This inclusion has sparked rumors that the Heat may be considering a trade for Portland Trail Blazers’ star Damian Lillard. While there has been no meaningful dialogue between the Heat and the Trail Blazers regarding Lillard since his trade request in July, the possibility of a trade has not been ruled out.
According to multiple reports, the Miami Heat will host the Philadelphia 76ers at Kaseya Center on Christmas Day. This game is part of the NBA’s signature event, which features five games throughout the day. Other matchups include the Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks, Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets.
The Christmas Day games are televised on ABC or ESPN with staggered start times. The Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson reports that the Heat are tentatively scheduled to tip off at the 8 p.m. slot. This is not surprising, as the Heat represented the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals last season.
In addition to the Christmas Day game, other schedule leaks suggest that the NBA is preparing for the possibility of a trade between the Heat and the Trail Blazers, which would bring Lillard to Miami. The Heat’s game in Portland on February 27 is reportedly scheduled to be televised on TNT, marking Lillard’s first trip to Portland after playing for the Trail Blazers for 11 seasons.
While there have been no major developments in trade discussions between the Heat and the Trail Blazers, rumors continue to circulate about a potential Lillard trade. Lillard has expressed a preference for being traded to Miami, but the Blazers have not been impressed with the Heat’s offer so far, which is said to include Tyler Herro, multiple first-round picks, and additional salary.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding a potential trade, the fact that the Heat are featured in the early NBA schedule leaks suggests that they will be receiving more national TV exposure this season. Last season, the Heat played just 11 games on national TV, despite their success in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals the previous year.
In addition to the Christmas Day game and the potential game in Portland, other notable matchups include a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and the Boston Celtics on October 27, as well as an NBA Finals rematch with the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on February 29.
As fans eagerly await the start of the NBA season, the inclusion of the Miami Heat in the Christmas Day showcase has generated excitement and speculation. While a trade for Damian Lillard is still uncertain, the possibility of him joining the Heat would undoubtedly bring more national attention to the team.
The NBA’s Christmas Day games have become a tradition for basketball fans, and the Heat’s inclusion this year adds to the excitement. With the potential for a star like Lillard to join their roster, the Heat could become an even more formidable force to be reckoned with in the league.
It remains to be seen how many nationally televised games the Heat will have this season, but with the possibility of landing Lillard, their exposure is likely to increase. As fans anticipate the official NBA schedule release, the inclusion of the Miami Heat in prominent national TV slots suggests that they are poised for another exciting season.
While the trade rumors continue to swirl, it is worth noting that the NBA is a dynamic league where trades can materialize unexpectedly. Until there is a concrete agreement between the Heat and the Trail Blazers, fans will have to wait and see how the situation unfolds. The upcoming season promises to be full of surprises, and the Heat’s involvement in trade discussions only adds to the intrigue.
