With less than 48 hours to go, the heat around the Knicks game at home to open is intense. The game is so compelling not only because the two teams have a history filled with rivalries, but also due to another factor: Lin Shu Hao, the Knicks' defender who has set the world on fire. Through online ticket information website TiqIQ's statistical data, it was found that the average price of a Miami game ticket and this week’s average Heat ticket prices show a significant gap between the Knicks vs Heat game. To what extent? The answer is nearly $300!
TiqIQ usually collects ticket data from various ticket sellers to help consumers make better comparisons before purchasing tickets. Their statistics reveal that the most common and normal Miami home game tickets average $218.54, whereas on February 24, Knicks fans visiting the Heat need to spend an average of $510.06 — more than double the price. This is the "Lin Shu Hao effect." In away games against the Toronto Raptors before, and now in Knicks home games, a similar ticket price surge has been observed.
If $510 seems too expensive for a decent seat, you might underestimate Lin Shu Hao's current influence... According to TiqIQ, if you want courtside seats, you'd need to spend nearly $9400! How about that? Want to use $510 to get front-row tickets? Think again.
Of course, besides Lin Shu Hao's popularity driving up ticket prices, there are other factors at play. "The Miami Herald" jokingly suggested that perhaps the Heat's recent strong performance is driving ticket prices, or maybe it's the incomparable weather in South Florida during February. But this is clearly a very small possibility; one can check TiqIQ's records from two weeks ago (before Lin Shu Hao began getting significant playing time). If tickets were bought two weeks ago, each fan would only need to spend an average of $220.23.
D-Will calls Lin Shu Hao's rise an educational shock. If there's no love lost leaning closer, Allen must beat Memphis with a lay-up shot for a 104-103 victory.