Miami Heat fans are gearing up for Thursday night’s winner-take-all Finals game against the San Antonio Spurs by purchasing and wearing official White Hot apparel to cheer on their home team as they take to the court to determine whether they will be able to be repeat victors and emerge as the 2013 NBA champions.
A South Florida cardiologist, however, advises all Heat admirers against getting carried away, especially if Game 7 of the NBA Finals turns out to be as much of a nail-biter as Tuesday night’s match. “We got several people who were having palpitations all night long,” revealed Dr. Ethan Siev at Memorial Regional Hospital. “There’s only so much you can do to combat that much excitement.”
While Dr. Siev reminds patients to remember to take their heart meds, fans continued to flock to various locations across South Florida selling official White Hot gear, including the Miami Heat Store at the American Airlines Arena, the venue for the climactic showdown.
“Peace, Love, Miami Heat,” read a female fan as she showed a white T-shirt with those symbols printed on it in black.
“Maybe a stuffed animal,” said young fan Trey Rieland as he pondered his options.
After tying the series with Game 6, shooting guard Ray Allen’s jersey has emerged as one of the hottest items in sporting goods stores throughout South Florida. “I came to get ready to get my T-shirt for the Miami Heat cause they’re going to be the champions tonight,” said Heat Fan Carlos Ramirez as he held up his Ray Allen jersey at the Sports Authority’s Midtown location, which plans to sell licensed NBA Miami Heat Finals championship merchandise immediately after a Heat victory.
“Let’s go Heat, let’s go Heat.” chanted a woman and two children at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Fort Lauderdale, where the staff hopes to replace the white “Eastern Conference Back-to-Back Eastern Conference Champions” T-shirt with a “Back-to-Back NBA Champs” merchandise. They are also prominently displayed LeBron James headbands.
Even if fans are unable to buy White Hot apparel, they only need to know one thing: wear white. “White jeans with a white tank top and a cute belt,” suggested Heat fan Isabella Villar.
Perhaps the most unusual show of support for the Heat came from elementary school students at the Museum of Science and Discovery in Fort Lauderdale, who chanted “Let’s Go Heat” accompanied by an adult admirer in an otter costume and a White Heat T-shirt.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m at the American Airlines Arena.