Washington Wizards schedule 2013: Difficulty peaks early in D.C.

Hoping to reach the postseason for the first time in five years, the Washington Wizards couldn't help but make things complicated. With early injuries to Emeka Okafor and Chris Singleton clouding the team's plans just weeks before the season, answers are still being worked on by Randy Wittman and the rest of his coaching staff.

Nov. 3 at Heat -- What better way to gauge where Washington is early in the season than a road matchup against the league's defending champions? After a relatively easy start to the season with games against Phiadelphia and Detroit, the Wiz head to South Beach for an evening with LeBron and company.

Dec. 13 at Hawks -- Last season, the Wizards didn't win their first road contest until Dec. 11. By this time, Washington will have played 10 games away from Verizon Center, including five against Detroit, Philly, Cleveland, Toronto and Milwaukee, respectively. The Wiz can't afford to repeat and enter Atlanta struggling on the road.

Feb. 7. vs. Cavaliers -- The Wizards' only nationally televised game of the season comes in early February against Kyrie Irving and the Cavs (no, NBA TV doesn't count). Broadcast on ESPN, it could also be a matchup with postseason implications assuming both teams stay relatively healthy.

March 3 vs. Grizzlies -- Last time the Grizzlies came to D.C., John Wall exploded for a career-high 48 points in arguably the best performance of his career to date. Next time the two teams meet at Verizon Center, we'll see if the point guard can come close to repeating that effort.

Apr. 16 at Celtics -- Considering the uncertainty surrounding the Wizards' season, who knows when we'll really know their postseason destiny? The regular season finale in Boston could end up being pretty important, though, especially if the Celtics are similarly on the fringe of a low seed.

Things only temporarily ease up from there, too, as a road trip starting on Jan. 24 signals another tough stretch for the team. In less than two weeks, the Wizards will play road games against Phoenix, Utah, Golden State and the L.A. Clippers before heading home to play OKC, Portland and San Antonio. That sequence will be as big a test as any.

Season opener: Oct. 30 at Pistons

Home opener: Nov. 1 vs. 76ers