LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh's debut as Miami teammates was really the only tip-off choice, and the Heat's 2010-11 tour gets started against the squad they're aiming for in the revved-up Eastern Conference. Detroit Pistons Count on the Boston Celtics gearing up for a rude welcome for the South Beach glamour boys in the first nationally-televised game of the season. Detroit Pistons , New Jersey Nets
There were several options ripe with drama when it came to picking the Heat's first foe. Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers would certainly have been up for the challenge. (More on Lakers-Heat later.) Imagine the fireworks in an interstate showdown with the Orlando Magic. (That's coming, too.) The Cleveland Cavaliers? Detroit Pistons vs New Jersey Nets Live
OK, that would have been cruel.
New Jersey Nets Instead, it's Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Co. in an early litmus test at the TD Garden for the NBA runner-ups and Pat Riley's hand-picked Super Friends. The Miami-Boston experience at 7:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 26 is the opening act for TNT's doubleheader Detroit Pistons vs New Jersey Nets
