The NBA schedule has a sense of normalcy about it, once again returning to an 82-game season for the 2012-13 campaign. The league office released the schedule for all 30 NBA teams last night on TNT as all eyes focused on the intriguing opening night, and Christmas Day, fixtures.

As was rumored earlier in the week, the Miami Heat will open their title defense on October 30th in front of their home fans against the Boston Celtics. The Heat will raise their second championship banner to the rafters in front of the team they defeated in last year's Conference Finals. The first game of the season will see the Washington Wizards travel to Cleveland - that game begins one hour before the Heat play.

The Brooklyn Nets will get to welcome the New York Knicks to the Barclays Center on November 1st, with the two sides to face again for New York's home opener at The Garden as well.

The Christmas Day schedule features five games, Boston at Brooklyn, followed by New York at the Lakers and Oklahoma City at Miami in the first meeting of last year's Finals combatants. The evening games see Houston visit Chicago and Denver is at the Clippers.

For the full NBA schedule, click here.