National Basketball Association

Marlins impressed by up-close look at Heat

Published May. 30, 2012 12:24 a.m. ET

foxsports

After watching the Miami Heat from the front row, Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has a prediction.

''Based on what I saw last night,'' Stanton said Tuesday, ''I don't see the Celtics winning a game.''

Stanton sat with teammate Ricky Nolasco, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and Loria's wife to watch the Heat easily beat Boston in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Marlins pitchers Josh Johnson and Steve Cishek were also on hand hours after their team won a day game against the Washington Nationals.

The 6-foot-7 Johnson and 6-5 Stanton played basketball in high school. Like most everyone else, they find NBA MVP LeBron James remarkable.

''It's amazing to watch him play basketball,'' Johnson said. ''I love watching him play. He takes three steps and he's halfway across the floor. It's incredible how fast and quick he is.''

''It's fun to watch,'' Stanton agreed. ''He makes the court look so small. Some of those basketball players look like the mannequins you see at Sports Authority.''