Road Rallies Give Heat Fans Chance To Watch Away Games At AAA
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Heat fans in the Magic City are just hours away from watching their team begin their Finals quest for three straight NBA Championships in a row.
At AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday, Heat fans from around the world stopped by to pick up tickets caps, shirts and assorted team tchotchkes.
"I am very ready for the Finals, yes, very ready, I'm very excited," said Megan Michaels. "I hope we get a three-peat this year."
With Game 1 Thursday night in San Antonio, Michaels said she decided to do a little last minute shopping.
"I woke up because I knew the story was opening at ten, I came here first thing," said Michaels. "I came to buy some more things."
Michaels ended up with a spiffy new cap and a phone case.
"I promised my son one day we would go to Miami because he's a big Miami Heat fan. So now we had the chance. At the time we planned it, we didn't know they were going to the Finals," said Per Polson, a Heat fan from Denmark.
Paul Cox said he made it a priority to bring his employees early Thursday morning.
"It was the first thing we were going to do," said Cox. "I came in early and they picked me up at 10 a.m. and we came over here. I want to make sure we support the Heat. The whole school is going tomorrow in Heat gear."
Whether the game is here or there, as in San Antonio, Heat fans are invited to attend a White Hot HEAT Road Rally, for $5 a ticket, at the home of the Heat, the AmericanAirlines Arena, to watch Thursday night's Game 1 of the Finals and Sunday's Game 2.
Some Heat fans outside the AAA wanted to answer claims that Miami Heat fans are bandwagon fans.
"Probably three, four years ago, that may have been the case, but now I think fans here are really behind the team. It's not true anymore," said Antonio Pennington, a Heat fan.
To keep the crowd going, the HEAT dancers will be at the AAA along with Burnie, Banana Man, and others.
Doors to the arena will open one hour before game time Thursday, which is 9 PM.
Sunday's road rally will start at 7 PM as game time is 8 PM.
Heat enthusiasts looking to attend the White Hot HEAT Road Rallies will be required to register for a ticket by going to HEAT.com and paying a $5 convenience fee per ticket for each Road Rally.
Tickets for both rallies went on sale at 2 PM and those interested should note that tickets will not be available at the arena's box office.
There is an eight ticket maximum per person.
For more information, fans can log onto WhiteHotHEAT.com.
Click here to watch MaryAnn Martinez' report.
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