WATCH: Justin Verlander Kate Upton Kiss Cam Moment Stolen by Moondog [Video]
If a production team spots a good-looking power couple sitting pretty on a prime seat at their basketball match, it wouldn't take too long before they tilt a camera — the kind that solicits a romantic kiss — and let everyone witness the sparks fly, right?
That's exactly what the NBA did on Dec. 2 when they spotted the Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander and model Kate Upton watching a Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks match at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Verlander "showed up in enemy territory" with girlfriend Upton to star in the Kiss Cam, said Yahoo Sports. A kiss did not happen, however, as Cavaliers mascot Moondog did not permit it, instead crashing the frame to plant three kisses on Upton.
Uproxx said that Verlander was about to kiss his girlfriend but the mascot got in the way. He was "ear-blocked" the report said.
"Borderline molestation!" decried Lightly Buzzed, observing the same. "In a shocking twist, the Cavaliers' mascot swooped in at the last second and prevented the superstar smooch from taking place."
Watch it here:
The athlete did not seem to mind the kiss-stealing, although Upton was noticeably shocked.
CBS Detroit got wind of the news and aired an observation that "Justin Verlander really has been living the life this offseason." Verlander's Instagram post — "Had an awesome time flying in for the Cavs game tonight!" — clearly stated that the pair flew in on a private jet.
Meanwhile, The Big Lead reported, Upton seemed to be a true basketball fan, having been spotted in another NBA game last month.
Mail Online reported that when she walked to her seat at the arena, eyes were glued on her, even if the Sports Illustrated model was covered up, the rugged jeans only hinting at the flawless skin she packs underneath her clothes.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the game proved that if the Tiger were to choose between the game pitting the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers — won by the latter — and the one between the Bucks and LeBron James' new team, which won 108-111, the bigger draw would be the latter.
Bleacher Report agrees, explaining that LeBron James' transfer made Cleveland "a Midwestern Mecca of sorts," adding that baseball player CC Sabathia was also watching. An Instagram post by the model herself indicated that they were a party of three.
"Celebrities swarm like locusts to courtside seats at Quicken Loans Arena to watch the Big Three (James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love) play, making Kate Upton and Justin Verlander's appearance at Tuesday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks less than surprising," said the Bleacher Report.
Meanwhile, said Factory of Sadness, fans should not read too much into the occasion, since Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is also an influential businessman in Detroit.
No matter. "Front-running celebrities don't bother me as long as they're Kate Upton," Lightly Buzzed said. We agree.