Heat vs. Nets: The schedule, the history and the rivalry

1. THE SCHEDULE

Tuesday in Miami, 7 p.m.

Thursday in Miami, 7 p.m.

Saturday in Brooklyn, 8 p.m.

Monday in Brooklyn, 8 p.m.

Wednesday in Miami, TBA if necessary

Friday in Brooklyn, TBA if necessary

Sunday in Miami, TBA if necessary

2. THE HISTORY: Throw in the preseason, and the Heat is 0-6 against the Nets this season. The regular-season games have been extremely close. Three of the games were determined by a combined total of four points. The other game went to double overtime. The regular-season games: 

Game 1: Nets 101, Heat 100
Game 2: Nets 104, Heat 95
Game 3: Nets 96, Heat 95
Game 4: Nets 88, Heat 87

3. THE RIVALRY: LeBron James once called Paul Pierce his top adversary in the leauge, but this season James said he no longer considered Pierce (or anyone) his individual rival. James and Pierce have played four playoff series against each other throughout their careers. Pierce and the Celtics defeated James and the Cavaliers in 2008 and 2010. James joined the Heat the following season and has defeated Pierce twice in the playoffs since then. Head-to-head, James is 13-12 all-time against Pierce in the postseason.