Apparently more were sold on the Miami Heat during the NBA’s restart than the odds indicated.
Despite the longshot climb to the NBA Finals, the Heat ranked fourth in team merchandise sales at NBAStore.com during the league’s restart in the period from July 30 through Monday, the NBA announced Wednesday.
It is the first time the Heat have been in the Top 5 in merchandise sales since their last visit to the NBA Finals, in 2014, when the roster included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
The only teams with greater sales over that period were, in order, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. The Heat and Lakers are playing for the NBA title in the league’s quarantine setting at Disney World, with the NBA Finals opening Wednesday.
Rounding out the Top 10 in team-merchandise sales, in order, were the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets.
The only Heat player ranked in the league’s Top 15 in jersey sales is All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, who ranks 10th. Heat rookie guard Tyler Herro placed 16th in jersey sales over the latest sales period, with a significant recent boost amid his breakout playoff performances.
It is Butler’s first appearance in the Top 10 on the jersey-sales list since the 2018-19 regular season, when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Top 15 in jersey sales, per the NBA:
1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
3. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
7. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
8. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
9. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
10. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
11. Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics
12. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
13. Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
14. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
15. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
