Sixers will play Heat again in home opener

The 76ers will open their 2014-15 schedule with two games on the road starting with an Oct. 29 matchup against the Indiana Pacers. The NBA announced its schedule Wednesday.

After visiting Milwaukee on Oct. 31, the Sixers will play the Miami Heat in their home opener on Nov. 1. The Sixers will open at home against Miami for the second straight season. Last year, they stunned the Heat, 114-110.

The Sixers also will host the Heat in the regular-season finale on April 15.

Brett Brown team is coming off a 19-63 season. Even though they will open with their first two games on the road, the Sixers will play 14 of their first 25 games at the Wells Fargo Center.

With LeBron James returning to Cleveland, the Cavaliers have become the NBA's new glamour team. The Sixers will host the Cavs on Jan. 5, Cleveland's only appearance in Philadelphia.

That will be the first game for the Sixers after a seven-game road trip, with two games before Christmas and five on a West Coast swing after the holiday.

Among the highlights of the Sixers schedule is a Dec. 1 home game against the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

On Dec. 5, reigning MVP Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder will make their only stop in Philadelphia. Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will make their lone appearance on March 30.

The NBA season opens Oct. 28 with three games that will be televised by TNT: Dallas will visit San Antonio, the Lakers will host the Houston Rockets, and Orlando will visit New Orleans.

James and the Cavaliers will open their season Oct. 30 at home against the New York Knicks. Cleveland will play James' former team, the Miami Heat, on Christmas.

@sjnard