The Heat will be in northeast Ohio for less than 20 hours. James said that would leave only enough time for him to sleep, get up for the team's breakfast meeting and then fall asleep again. A range of emotions could keep James restless most of the day leading to tipoff.

"It's going to be fun, but at the same time it's going to be very emotionally draining," James said. "It's going to be difficult. It's going to be funny though, being in a different uniform, being in the visiting locker room, starting off on the other end of the court, sitting on the other end of the bench."

James left Cleveland as the franchise's career leader in scoring, field goals made, free throws made and attempted, steals, triple doubles and minutes played. The two-time league MVP led the Cavaliers to their lone trip to the NBA Finals in 2007, where they lost in four games to San Antonio.

James said he would do his pregame ritual of tossing powder into the air at the scorer's table on Thursday. The reception will certainly be different from the ovation he had been accustomed to receiving while with the Cavaliers.

In Cleveland, James' former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, whose Boston Celtics were playing the Cavs on Tuesday, said he was waiting to see if LeBron would skip the powder ritual on Thursday.

"I'm a silly fan," O'Neal said. "I'm anxious to see if he's going to do that powder thing."

"He's done it for every game he's played so why change for just one game," Wade said. "If he doesn't throw it up, I'll throw it up for him."

O'Neal, who has felt the wrath of fans after leaving Orlando and Los Angeles, can't wait to find out. "We have bets that he doesn't do it," he said.

The Heat and the NBA have increased security for the team this season, but there will be even more measures taken to protect James and his teammates during their stay in Cleveland.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert isn't anticipating any trouble on Thursday night for James' first visit but the Cavs will have extra security in Quicken Loans Arena to ensure that James is protected.

"You don't want to see anything stupid happen," Gilbert said at halftime of Cleveland's game Tuesday night against Boston. "I don't want to see anybody do something they shouldn't do, whether it was Thursday night or any night. I'm sure a lot of them will make their feelings known, but as long as everybody plays by the rules and doesn't go over the top, everything will be fine.

"I really believe that Cleveland people will do the right thing."

Gilbert said he has moved on from James' departure, and is as

focused as ever in keeping the Cavs near the top.

"I'm over it. I really am. That's the truth," he said. "I let

it all out in about 24 hours. I just think we have such a great

core and a great coaching staff. We have a lot of opportunities

with the trade exception and the draft. I feel good about this

team."

Heat forward Chris Bosh said it's beneficial that Miami will play the Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back set, which decreases the free time players will have in Cleveland.