Celtics fans: Watch out for Detroit - and bogus gear

The National Basketball Association is warning Boston Celtics fans to be on guard for counterfeit merchandise.

When a team goes deep into the play-offs, demand generally increases for its team-themed apparel and memorabilia, the NBA said, and that situation can lead to an opportunity for counterfeiters selling bogus and shoddy knock-offs.

The NBA said in a press release, "The counterfeiters’ potential victims include legitimate retailers in the Boston area, as well as Celtics fans who believe they are purchasing authentic merchandise, only to learn later that they have obtained counterfeit products of inferior quality."

Since 1993, authorities have seized more than 9 million pieces of counterfeit merchandise valued at $329 million, according to the NBA.

The NBA offered some tips to avoid purchasing counterfeit goods. They include looking for the official hologram mark on products, limiting shopping to NBA authorized retailers, and being on guard for goods with ripped tags and typographical errors.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)