Driving into Portland, one needed only to follow the spotlight scanning the night’s sky to know something big was happening. Was it a call to caped crusaders for help? An attempt at finding alien life? Nearing the source of the swaying beam of light, the truth revealed itself: It was home opening night for Maine’s very own NBA D-League basketball team, the Red Claws.

The illuminated marquee on the corner of the Portland Expo announced what procrastinators feared: sold out. At 7 p.m., a line of anxious fans was extending down Park Avenue to Hadlock Field. Excited children ran circles around parents, high-schoolers moved in groups like multi-cellular organisms, giggling and wide-eyed at the prospect of seeing a top-level sports game in their own backyard, and basketball aficionados from all parts of Maine chatted about team players and the prospective season while they began shuffling closer to the entrance.

“I’m so nervous!” squealed 5-year-old Emily Benson of Gray, tugging her grandmother, Susan, along to join the line.

Admittedly, I’ve never been a huge sports fan, and I hate to say it but watching sporting events on television is about as thrilling as watching paint dry to me. But there’s something about walking into a live game, seeing the throngs of people united in their love of the sport, that stirred something inside me. Perhaps it was my dormant sports fan about to come out.

Smiling Lady Red Claws — members of the team’s official dance group — handed out programs for the evening and directed patrons to their seats with waves of silver and green pompoms. People were milling about with specially brewed Red Claw Ale from local brewery Gritty McDuff’s in hand, and the smell of soft pretzels and hot dogs lured the hungry to the concession stand, where all the expected game foods — pizza, mozzarella sticks, burgers and more — were ready to be devoured. It seemed people were so intent not to miss even a second of playtime that there wasn’t even a line at the women’s room — that never happens!

At first glance, the brightly lit gymnasium of the Portland Expo conjured images of high school games, complete with accordion bleachers, but as people began taking their seats and the lights dimmed to introduce the home team, the collective energy of the crowd transformed the gymnasium into a professional arena. Maybe it was the red foam claws waving in the air, or the sporadic chants that erupted throughout, but in all my naivety I found myself bubbling with excitement as if I were at the Fleet Center in Boston.

Kicked off with a two-point basket by forward Bill Walker, the Red Claws made their home state debut, and by the end of the second period, the crowd had found their groove. Raucous cheering, hooting and hollering at the referee, camaraderie with neighboring fans and the thrill of watching the home team slam dunk fueled the crowd.

Scott Morash, a Hollis basketball coach accompanied by his wife and two daughters sitting next to me, helped to narrate the game. “It’s good to finally be able to see great basketball in our state!” he exclaimed, as center Alexis Ajinca stuffed an attempt by Adam Harrington on the opposing team, the Springfield Armor.

By the end of the third quarter I found myself jumping up and down, fists pumping the air as the Maine boys etched their way to a win. But it was also the skills of Jason Gibbons of Bath (a member of the Harlem Superstars comedy basketball team and the MC for the night), as well as the dance routines of the Lady Red Claws, the amped-up antics of Crusher (the Red Claw mascot) and the amazing — yes, amazing — half-time show of Red Panda acrobats that brought the game to a whole new level for me.

Leaving the Expo with 102-79 win for the Maine Red Claws, I found myself elated. Maybe this is what watching sports is all about?

Hoop scoop

The Red Claws’ season goes to April 3. Their next home game is Dec. 13 vs. the Tulsa 66ers.

Tickets: Range from $5 to$50 a seat

Goods: T-shirts from $14, caps from $16

Where: Portland Expo, 239 Park Ave., Route 1, Portland (right next to the Sea Dog’s Hadlock Field)

Contact: 207-210-6655 

For complete information: http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/

Fans are awed by the halftime performance of the Red Panda Acrobat, Krystal Niu at halftime on opening night at home for the Portland Red Claws at the Expo where she kicks five bowls from her foot onto her head.

Jason Gibbons, the MC of the Portland Red Claws, puts on a show for fans waiting to get into the team’s home opener at the Portland Expo.

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