Playoff schedule is out, and it’s different

The Miami Heat now know when they’re going to play in the NBA playoffs, as well as what they will be playing for, with the team Thursday unveiling a “United in Black” postseason theme.

Having been locked into a bestof-seven first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, with the No. 4-No. 5 seedings of that matchup to be determined by the teams’ 4 p.m. Friday game, the NBA nonetheless released the schedule.

Unlike during typical NBA seasons, there is no homecourt advantage in the league’s Disney World quarantine bubble amid the new coronavirus pandemic, with all games played in the void of fans at neutral site of the Wide World of Sports complex.

The Heat’s best-of-seven opening-round playoff schedule against the Pacers starts with three afternoon games:

■ Game 1: Tuesday, 4 p.m., TNT, Fox Sports Sun

■ Game 2: Thursday Aug. 20, 1 p.m., ESPN, Fox Sports Sun.

■ Game 3: Saturday Aug. 22, 3:30 p.m., TNT, Fox Sports Sun.

■ Game 4: Monday Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m., TNT, Fox Sports Sun.

■ Game 5*: Wednesday Aug. 26, Time TBA, Fox Sport Sun.

■ Game 6*: Friday Aug. 28, Time TBA, Fox Sports Sun.

■ Game 7*: Sunday Aug. 30, Time TBA, Fox Sport Sun.

* — if necessary.

As for as the team’s annual playoff theme, the team cast the “United in Black” approach as, “part of the team’s ongoing initiative to fight for social justice and take the next step in its pledge supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.” Adding, “As the nation grapples with uncomfortable and overdue change, the Heat decided to repurpose their playoff push and reignite a focus on maintaining the momentum of social justice.”

The Heat will wear their Icon Edition Miami Black uniforms as both the home and road team as much as possible throughout the playoffs, based on the opposition’s choice of colors for their designated “home” games.

In a statement, Heat President Eric Woolworth said, “In the wake of this summer of unrest amid vivid examples of social injustice and racial inequality, we recognized an opportunity to use the platform of the NBA Playoffs to continue, and extend, the conversation.

“When our team hits the bright lights and the big stage that is the NBA playoffs, it’ll play with two purposes: the main thing and the right thing. We are united in our quest to achieve both goals.”

As part of the campaign, Heat players will wear United in Black shooting shirts during pregame warmups and during games. These shooting shirts will be available to the public for sale, with proceeds benefiting Black Girls Code, Health in the Hood and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.

While the team competes at Disney, a Black Lives Matter banner will adorn the front of American-Airlines Arena.