A 48-hour marathon sitting contest is under way as fans vie to win tickets to all the Miami Heat playoff games.
The Heat will take on the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA playoffs Saturday at the American Airlines Arena.
READ: Heat playoff schedule
It has been nearly 24 hours after the fans sat down to win tickets to all the playoff games by sitting for 48 hours. While it sounds easy to just sit, it's not.
"We confiscate their phones so that they can't call family or friends. Yeah, we don't make it easy on them," said Lorrie-Ann Diaz, a member of the Heat's marketing team.
At times, fans said, it feels like enemy combatant torture techniques are being used.
"Every time you hear that song, you have to jump up. At 3 in the morning, 6 in the morning, you have to get up and jump," said Sebastian Castro, who is competing for tickets. "No matter when, if you don't jump, you get eliminated."
Former Heat player Timmy Hardaway came out to give the super-sitters some encouragement.
"It's for tickets, and those tickets are hot. Miami against the Knicks, it's going to be a great series. They are doing it, and I am very proud of you all," Hardaway said.
But, Hardaway admitted that the fans may have more physical endurance and mental toughness than he does.
"Sit in that seat for 48 hours? No, I wouldn't be able to get up," he said.
The sitters are rewarded with extended bathroom breaks and an air-conditioned chill session in a Kia.
Not all of the fans are doing it because they love the Heat. Jose Ortiz said he is doing it because he loves his wife and she loves the heat.
"She told me, 'Don't go home without a ticket.' If I go home with no ticket, I am going out," Ortiz said.
