Miami Heat schedule 2013: Fighting off the improved competition

For the Miami Heat to win a third straight NBA title, they'll have to fend off one of the strongest fields of competition in recent memory. From the Pacers, Nets and Bulls in the Eastern Conference to the Spurs and Thunder in the West, the targets remain on Miami's backs for the second year in a row.

LeBron James and his crew will get their wins, but how the Heat carry themselves against the NBA's improved elite should be part of the winning formula.

Dec. 18 vs. Pacers -- The two favorites in the Eastern Conference meet first in 2013-14 thinking they're both upgraded from a year ago. Indiana picked up C.J. Watson and Luis Scola this offseason and welcome back former scoring leader Danny Granger, who missed most of 2012-13 with a knee injury. Miami is hoping to counter center Roy Hibbert by experimenting with former first overall pick Greg Oden.

Jan. 26 vs. Spurs -- A rematch of the 2013 NBA Finals will give San Antonio its first chance to shake the haunting blown Game 6 that would have won them the championship.

Jan. 29 vs. Thunder -- Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are fighting the perception that James Harden put them over the top to reach the 2012 NBA FInals. Beating the Heat is a good way to show they can win big games without him and gain confidence that they're still among the NBA elite.

March 12 vs. Nets -- Brooklyn gained legitimacy as a top NBA squad simply by picking up Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce via trade this summer. The addition of Andrei Kirilenko as a LeBron stopper is also important. The Nets want to make a few statements in the regular season and should be hitting their stride with a new roster by March.