MIAMI – The last time the Miami Heat made it to the NBA Finals, eager crowds with pots and pans and homemade signs gathered in the streets near downtown Miami, Westchester, and Hialeah.
Thanks to COVID-19, those days are over. At least for now.
With an 11 p.m. curfew in place in Miami-Dade County, local law enforcement agencies will be enforcing the rules and making sure residents are safe.
Some fans have said they plan to stay at home with family and bang their cookware in the privacy of their own house.
Brian Nunez, a Heat fan originally from New York, said he knows sports bars and parties are out of the question.
“Exclusive VIP,” he joked, “because the Miami Heat is the best team right now.”
Miami Heat fans prepare to celebrate on Friday
How will you be celebrating the Heat’s victory against the Celtics? Send us your Miami Heat fan pictures at Share@Local10.com.
Boston Celtics' Kemba Walker, from left, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown (7), and the Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22) look on as Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) attempts to get a shot off against the Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) takes a shot over Boston Celtics' Daniel Theis, from bottom left, Kemba Walker (8) and Jayson Tatum (0) during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, center, talks during a time out to Andre Iguodala (28), Goran Dragic, left rear, Bam Adebayo (13), Tyler Herro (14) and Jimmy Butler (22) during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) celebrates a basket against the Boston Celtics late in the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) takes a shot as Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart, right, defends during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (55) passes the ball in front of Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) attempts a shot as head coach Brad Stevens, left rear, looks on during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) celebrate scoring against the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) takes a shot over Boston Celtics' Robert Williams III (44) during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics center Daniel Theis (27) dunks the ball after gettin through Miami Heat's Tyler Herro, right, during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo (13) struggles to maintain control of the ball against Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, rear, during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Boston Celtics' Kemba Walker, from left, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown (7), and the Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22) look on as Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) attempts to get a shot off against the Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) gestures to teammates late in the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) competes for a rebound against Miami Heat's Jae Crowder, left, and Bam Adebayo, right, during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, center left, draws up a play during a time out late in the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra gestures as he watches play against the Boston Celtics during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) gestures to teammates late in the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, left, and Miami Heat's Jae Crowder (99) exchange words as Kemba Walker (8) attempts to calm the situation during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat's Jae Crowder (99) blocks a shot attempt by Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) as Bam Adebayo (13) looks on during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, celebrates dunking against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics' Gordon Hayward (20) attempts a shot during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker (8) celebrates forcing a turnover against Miami Heat's Goran Dragic (7) during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat's Derrick Jones Jr. (5) and Tyler Herro (14) defend as Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker (8) attempts a shot during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates dunking in front of Miami Heat's Kendrick Nunn, rear, during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, center, is forced to pass the ball from beneath the basket as Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart (36), Gordon Hayward (20) and Kemba Walker, center right, defend during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) looks on as Marcus Smart, center, struggles to maintain control of the ball against Miami Heat's Duncan Robinson, left, and Jimmy Butler (22) during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Referee Eric Lewis (42) looks on as Miami Heat's Jae Crowder (99) smiles after fouling the Boston Celtics on a shot attempt during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) goes up for a shot between Boston Celtics' Grant Williams (12), Jaylen Brown, bottom, and Kemba Walker (8) during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Boston Celtics' Gordon Hayward (20) attempts a shot as Miami Heat's Tyler Herro (14) defends during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Miami Heat's Jae Crowder gestures after being charged with a foul on a shot attempt by the Boston Celtics during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown, left, and Miami Heat's Jae Crowder (99) exchange words as Kemba Walker (8) attempts to calm the situation during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.
