After scorching the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener on Christmas, the Miami Heat is set to take the stage at home against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. Businesses around the arena are looking to regain what they lost during the lockout, and fans are setting some high expectations for the season.
"The vibe is really high right now, there's a lot of energy, people going crazy," said Bruce Earle, a manager at Hooters.
If there were any lasting effects from the extended NBA lockout, Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami showed no signs of it Monday.
"This place was shakin' and rattlin' last night. Everybody cheering for the game, and as people come in tomorrow night, we anticipate a huge night," Earle added.
The fanfare near American Airlines Arena proves that the game may have won back fans they angered during the five-month lockout. Some, though, they never lost.
"We're back, we're back baby!" Heat fan Shante Williams said.
The manager of Tradewinds Bar and Grill says sales are already up 20 percent.
"Last week when they were doing their scrimmage, it was amazing the amount of people that were here in Heat jerseys," said manager Scott Salzberg.
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Before you head out to Tuesday's home opener, be sure to arrive early and check out nearby parking options and prices. You can print your tickets at home or use your credit card to get paperless tickets at the gate.
The first home game is already sold out, but fans still showed up at the ticket booth Monday afternoon to buy standing room only tickets at $53 a pop.
"I'm really excited because I think they're probably the best team in the NBA, because they just killed the Dallas Mavericks yesterday," Heat fan Adhiraj Bahad said.
