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If you’re like me and are sick of watching ticket prices to your favorite pro teams continue to skyrocket, I have good news. While looking for tickets recently on StubHub, I noticed that some NBA and NHL teams are selling tickets for under $1. That’s right, a basketball or hockey game for multiple pennies. Yes, these are for more or less the worst seats in the house and some of the worst teams in the league; no, those are not just the starting bids for an online ticket auction. Just so you don’t say to me “What the fuck, I thought I was gonna pay $0.69 for tickets?” I should warn you that, like any other ticket service such as Ticketmaster, you have to pay some service fees for StubHub — electronic download fee of $4.95 per order and a service fee of 10% of your total ticket purchase ($5 minimum). But let’s say you and three friends get four tickets at $5 a piece, your total is going to be $29.95, still only $7.50 each. According to Reuters, this year’s NBA and NHL average ticket prices are $48.08 and $54.25, respectively; so that means you should be saving an extra $40 to $45 for beers (you’re gonna need them up in the rafters). Don't expect these types of prices at the Staples Center or Madison Square Garden — some teams are obviously going to always be expensive, though its always worth looking. No matter who you root for, here’s a list of 10 great games at low prices and 10 ludicrously priced not-so-great games.
NBA
Bang-for-your-buck games: For the fan who wants to catch a cheap game but also cares enough about the quality of play.
Thunder at Spurs, Feb. 22, 2011: As low as $5
Oklahoma City's Durant and Westbrook, two of the NBA’s most exciting young stars and currently tied as the league’s top scoring duo, take on the Spurs, the team with the league’s best record. A great chance to see some stars for next to nothing.
Bulls at Hawks, March 2, 2011: As low as $2
You got MVP candidate Derrick Rose and the Bulls taking on a strong Hawks team that is one spot behind them in the playoff hunt. Both teams will be playing hard as they try to prove they are in the upper echelon of East teams with the Heat, Celtics, and Magic.
Knicks at Mavericks, March 10, 2011: As low as $6
The Mavs are winners of nine straight and boast the second-best record in the West. The Knicks are one of the more exciting surprises in the league this year. Raymond Felton and Amar'e Stoudemire are reviving a disheartened Knicks fan base that has been accustomed to years of futility. Should be a fast-paced, high-scoring game.
Rockets at Clippers, March 2, 2011: As low as $5
Frankly, it doesn’t matter who the Clippers are playing: I would go watch a Blake Griffin if he were playing a girls middle school team. He's just killing it right now. As one of my friends put it, “Dude is so entertaining I want to watch him take a shit, just to see what he does, like how many coils he reels off.” Riveting stuff.
Jazz at Suns, February 15, 2011: As low as $3
In the wake of Jerry Sloan's sudden departure, the young Deron Williams leads the Jazz against wily old man Steve Nash in a showdown of two perennial Western Conference powers. Both teams are also in their first season without star big men — Carlos Boozer and Amar'e — and would love to prove they can make a run this year without them.
Incredibly low priced games: For the fan who cares less about who’s playing, and just wants to catch a game.
Hornets at Nets, February 9, 2011: As low as $0.69
Editor's Note: This story was originally meant to be published on Feb. 9, thus why this item is outdated. That said, tickets to the Warriors-Nets game on March 9 begins at $0.99, and the Nets at Spurs on Feb. 14 begins at $1.39.
This almost made it into the bang for your buck section because, frankly, any game priced at 69 cents is a steal. It’s also hilarious that someone seems to think that a dollar is too much to ask for someone to go to a Nets game — and chose 69 cents, no less. Nets/Hornets isn’t the worst match up on this list but it has to go first for being so cheap.
Wizards at Cavaliers, February 13, 2011: As low as $0.99
Now this is probably our worst match up in the group. The Cavs are currently losers of 26 straight, an NBA record, and are one loss away from breaking the Big Four sports leagues’ record of 26 consecutive losses by the ’76-’77 Tampa Bay Bucs. The Wizards are approaching their own infamous record as they are the only win-less team on the road left this season. Their 0-25 start away from home is four shy of the NBA record set by the ’92-’93 Mavericks (in fact the Cavs are 0-26 on the road themselves). One of the streaks will have to give, which could increase the effort level and make this an exciting game. Or not.
Pistons at Cavaliers, March 8, 2011: As low as $1
Scary to think these teams were squaring off in the Eastern Conference Championship three seasons ago. Now they’re selling $1 tickets. For shame.
Nets at Bobcats, February 11, 2011: As low as $1
MJ's new team has managed to stay relevant this season as they are a game out of the 8th spot in the East. However, it seems the fan haven't noticed and are willing to do almost anything to rid themselves of tickets when the Nets roll into town.
Pacers at Pistons, February 16, 2011: As low as $2
As far as the match ups for these games go, this may be the best one. Pacers are clinging to that 8th spot in the Eastern Conference and the Pistons, at 20-33, are just are a slim 3.5 games behind them. Plus, maybe you’ll catch the Malice at the Palace, Round 2.
NHL
Bang-for-your-buck games: For the fan who wants to catch a cheap game but also cares enough about the quality of play.
Capitals at Lightning, March 7, 2011: As low as $4; or Flyers at Lightning, February 15, 2011: As low as $5.99
Despite having the fourth-best record in the NHL, the Lightning have some of the lowest ticket prices in the league: StubHub has tickets available under $10 for 14 of the next 16 Lightning games. So with your pick of the games, a match up against the division-rival Capitals would be an ideal game. The Flyers would also be a great match up as they are the only team ahead of Tampa in the Eastern Conference.
Avalanche at Predators, March 31, 2011: As low as $7
Having lived in Nashville, I can tell you first hand that Bridgestone Arena is a great place to see a game. The fans are rowdy, there are half-price beer specials on Thursday nights (the 31st is a Thursday), and they always pull out the stops to keep the fans interested with live music and on-ice gimmicks. Not to mention it’s a match up of two teams just 7 points out of the playoffs, so why not?
Thrashers at Hurricanes, March 9, 2011: As low as $6; or Rangers at Hurricanes, February 22, 2011: As low as $9
The ’Canes and Thrashers are division rivals and are currently in 8th and 9th place in the Eastern Conference, respectively, fighting for that last playoff spot. And after watching the All-Star Weekend in Raleigh, Carolina looks like a great place to see a game. Rangers are currently in 7th place in the East, so they would be a great match up too.
Kings at Red Wings, March 9, 2011: As low as $10
I have only been to a handful of hockey stadiums but there are two places that top my list of places I haven’t been: Bell Center in Montreal and Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. And since Canadiens tickets are the second-highest in the league, I could definitely settle for $10 tickets at the Joe.
Devils at Stars, February 22, 2011: As low as $8
The Stars have the lowest average ticket prices in the league, but that hasn’t stopped them from leading their division and holding down the 3 spot in the Western Conference. This year, the Devils have been ugly but boast the second-best record in the NHL over their last 10 games so they should keep it interesting.
Incredibly low-priced games: For the fan who cares less about who’s playing and just wants to catch a game.
Red Wings at Panthers, February 18, 2011: As low as $2
Pretty much all of the Panthers' upcoming games are for $5 or less so I picked the cheapest — which happened to also be the best visiting team to see. (Flyers, Canadiens, Capitals, and Leafs are all also available for under $5.)
Islanders at Lightning, March 22, 2011: As low as $2
The Lightning are a fun team to watch, with young-gun Steven Stamkos leading the league in goals and points. The Islanders? Not so much. They have the league’s third-worst record, and last week their starting goalie got his face broken in a fight and is out six weeks. Ouch.
Senators at Devils, March 8, 2011: As low as $2
Two usually consistent teams having a down year. At least the Prudential Center is a good venue.
Blue Jackets at Blues, March 7, 2011: As low as $5
Both teams are on the outside of the playoff hunt looking in but are only 6 and 7 points out, respectively. Add in the fact that they’re division rivals and this could be a pretty good match up.
Maple Leafs at Thrashers, February 22, 2011: As low as $6
The Thrashers are still fighting for a playoff spot but without a miraculous push, the Leafs seemed to be out of the postseason for the sixth straight year. However, these teams have averaged 10 goals per game in three meetings this season.
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