MIAMI (WSVN) — It was a happy day for Miami Heat fans who flocked to the American Airlines Arena, Sunday afternoon, hoping for a do-or-die win against the Charlotte Hornets. The ensuing 106-73 blowout exceeded their wildest expectations.
"Go Heat! Let’s go, Heat!" said an ecstatic fan, his voice hoarse as he swung a "White Hot" T-shirt in circles outside the Downtown Miami venue.
Jubilant fans pouring out of the arena chanted and clapped as they praised the hometown team. "Put some respect on it when you play the Miami Heat," said a fan sporting a black "Heat Champions" baseball cap.
The series between the Heat and the Hornets went to seven games, but in the end, the Heat ran away with it, and the fans couldn’t be happier. "The heat is on, baby, the heat is on," said a fan as he held up a white and red cap with the Heat logo.
Two young fans in white couldn’t resist the opportunity to give a shout-out to their favorite player. "Congratulations, Dwyane Wade," the boys said in unison.
Fans also talked about that other guy who used to play for the South Florida team. "Who needs LeBron? Nobody needs LeBron! We don’t need no LeBron!" screamed one fan.
As for Hornets fans decked out in purple and teal, well, they’re feeling blue. Game 7, after all, was a stinger. "It’s a sad day," said a Hornets fan.
Next stop for the Heat: taking on either the Indiana Pacers or Toronto Raptors on the next round of playoffs. "We go to the second round. Yeah!" said a fan holding up a sign that read "Wade a Minute. Curaçao [heart symbol] the Heat."
Another fan said, "If the Heat keep playing like this, they’re gonna be tough to beat on the next round."
Tickets for round 2 of the NBA playoffs go on sale Monday at 2 p.m.