When the Miami Heat were down Tuesday 94-89 with under 30 seconds left in Game 6 of the NBA finals against the San Antonio Spurs, many Heat fans were disappointed—so disappointed that some began to leave.
Of course, they were in for a shock when they learned Heat guard Ray Allen hit a three from the corner to send the game into overtime. The Heat won in overtime 103-100 to force Game 7 tonight.
Fans who left tried to get back into the arena. Unfortunately they were not allowed.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and the Heat players found out what happened after they saw footage on TV of the people who left trying pointlessly to get back in.
Heat forward Chris Bosh had a message for the fans that departed too soon.
"For all those guys who left, make sure you don't come to Game 7," said Bosh, who was a key part of the Miami Heat comeback Tuesday. "We only want the guys who are going to stay in the building for the whole game. You never give up. People gave up on us. They can stay where they are and watch the game at home."
The other two members of the big 3 were a little more sympathetic.
"I apologize to our fans from last night," said Heat forward LeBron James. "But -- that's why the game is played all the way to the zeros. As a fan, and people watching at home, I know it had to -- wow -- it had to do a lot to them." James finished Tuesday’s game with 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
He also joked about how his own family was on edge the whole time.
"I just know in my household, my wife was like, 'Would you please stop doing that to me?'" he said, referring to his fiancee Savannah Brinson and their two sons. "My mother-in-law, even my sons, they were like, 'Oh my God. You guys just lost and won at the same time.'"
Heat guard Dwayne Wade said he has been in the position of a spectator and knows how fans feel.
"It's hard to be a fan," he said. "I get nervous and frustrated when I watch my son play in his games. But you'd rather be in this moment than not be in this moment. I heard about what happened with some of our fans the other night. But it's OK. I welcome them back with open arms."
Wade just had one request for the Heat faithful heading into Game 7.
"Just stay a little longer," said Wade. "Stick with us. It's all good."
Game 7 is tonight at on ABC 9 p.m. (EDT).
