It was Merry Heatmas at Hooters on Christmas Day.
Suffering from basketball separation anxiety, fans traded Christmas morning pajamas for Heat jerseys to watch the first game of the season.
"I can't describe it. It’s indescribable how much I've missed basketball," said Scott Smith, who wore his Dwyane Wade jersey.
Smith says the return of basketball, and a chance for a re-match game against last season’s champs-- the Dallas Maveriks--has to be his favorite gift from Santa.
"Its a re-match. It’s payback. It’s our time. Heat time,” Smith shouted.
Before the game, the Mavericks raised their 2010-11 NBA championship banner. Fans say this season, the Heat will get their turn.
Heat Fan, Justin Alvarez predicts year two of the Big Three will equal success.
“It’s another year of the big three together. They're showing Dallas they’re not the same team they were last year,” said Alvarez.
The Heat beat the Mavs 105 to 94 during the Christmas season opener.
Though there was a Christmas tree inside the restaurant, and plenty of waitresses donning Santa hats, it wasn’t a traditional Christmas scene. With drinks flowing and the Heat scoring, fans said they wouldn't have celebrated anywhere else.
