The first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs officially began over the weekend, and several teams wasted no time flaunting their dominance in Game 1. Five teams won by 20-point margins or greater in the opening game, with the Thunder’s 38-point decimation of the Mavericks highlighting the action on Saturday.
The defending champion Golden State Warriors easily handled the Houston Rockets on Saturday afternoon, though they may be without Stephen Curry indefinitely after the reigning MVP suffered an ankle sprain. Curry’s potential absence hasn’t seemed to affect the secondary ticket market, however, as the Warriors are still posting the most expensive ticket prices during the Quarterfinals.
Below is a price breakdown by series for 2016 NBA Playoff tickets, according to data provided by online aggregator TiqIQ:
Warriors vs Rockets | Series Average: $407.77 | Cheapest in Golden State: Game 2 ($115) | Cheapest in Houston: Game 3 ($80)
The series average for Warriors tickets against the Rockets is $407.77 on the resale market. That is nearly twice as high as the next most expensive opening series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers ($282.03). The Warriors’ record-breaking 73-win season has made them clear favorites to win a second straight title, and ticket prices are certainly bolstering those expectations. The cheapest ticket at Oracle Arena against the Rockets comes during Game 2 at $115. Game 3 will be the cheapest game in Houston at $80.
For those traveling from out of town to watch the Warriors pursue their second straight title, plenty of deals exist for cheap hotels in Oakland during the team’s playoff run. Hipmunk.com lists Oakland hotels starting from just $70 per night.
Clippers vs Trail Blazers | Series Average: $282.03 | Cheapest in Los Angeles: Game 2 ($35) | Cheapest in Portland: Game 4 ($55)
The Clippers cruised in their first game against the Trail Blazers and will look to coast in similar fashion during Game 2 Wednesday night. That will be the cheapest game remaining in Los Angeles during the first round as Los Angeles Clippers Game 3 tickets currently start from just $35. The cheapest ticket in Portland will be during Game 4 at $55.
Raptors vs Pacers | Series Average: $240.33 | Cheapest in Toronto: Game 2 ($68) | Cheapest in Indiana: Game 3 ($18)
The Pacers’ 30-point fourth quarter outpouring was the deciding factor in Saturday’s Game 1 against the Raptors. Paul George led all scorers with 33 points while also contributing six assists and four steals. Game 2 Monday night will be the cheapest remaining game of the series in Toronto, with Raptors tickets starting from just $68 on the secondary market. For fans headed to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Game 3 will be the cheapest game of the series with a get-in price of just $18.
Spurs vs Grizzlies | Avg: $218.43 | Cheapest in San Antonio: Game 2 ($23) | Cheapest in Memphis: Game 3 ($25)
Fans attending an upcoming game during the Spurs-Grizzlies series will likely be greeted with the best ticket deals. The Spurs also flirted with the single-season record earlier this season and fell just five games short of tying the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls 72-10 record. Despite the team’s pursuit of history, however, Spurs tickets on the secondary market start from just $23 for Game 2 Tuesday. The Grizzlies’ cheapest game in Memphis will be Game 3 on Friday with a get-in price of $25.
Heat vs Hornets | Series Average: $214.39 | Cheapest in Miami: Game 2 ($37) | Cheapest in Charlotte: Game 4 ($25)
The Hornets proved to be no contest for the Heat in Game 1 Sunday after taking a decisive 32-point win at home. Their series is the fifth most expensive series on average in the opening round at an average ticket price of $214.39. The cheapest game in Miami will be Game 2 on Wednesday at a get-in price of $37. Game 4’s $25 get-in price is the cheapest game in Charlotte.
Cavaliers vs Pistons | Series Average: $208.48 | Cheapest in Cleveland: Game 2 ($27) | Cheapest in Detroit: Game 3 ($40)
The Cavaliers and Pistons will play in what is perhaps the most surprising opening series in terms of ticket pricing. The defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers are among the cheapest teams to see during the first round, with their series average against the Pistons listed at $208.48 on the secondary market. The cheapest game in Cleveland will be Game 2 at $27. Interestingly enough, it will be more expensive to attend a game in Detroit, as Game 3 is the cheapest game at Palace at Auburn Hills at $40.
Hawks vs Celtics | Series Average: $196.60 | Cheapest in Atlanta: Game 2 ($21) | Cheapest in Boston: Game 4 ($79)
Philips Arena welcomed a nail-biter on Saturday as the Hawks escaped with a one-point victory over the Celtics. The average resale price for tickets across the remainder of the series is $196.60, though fans can find tickets starting from just $21 for Game 2 in Atlanta on Tuesday. That is considerably more expensive than Game 4 in Boston, which owns a get-in price of $79 – the cheapest price at TD Garden during the opening round. Meanwhile, hotels in Boston are available from Hipmunk, starting at $117 throughout the weekend.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks | Series Average: $188.98 | Cheapest in Oklahoma City: Game 2 ($23) | Cheapest in Dallas: Game 3 ($25)
After handing the Mavericks a near 40-point loss on Saturday, the Thunder aim to take a comfortable two-game lead with a win in Game 2 Monday night. It will be the cheapest series during the first round with an average resale price of $188.98. Fans can find the cheapest tickets to Game 2 in Oklahoma City at $23 each while Game 3 tickets in Dallas start from $25 each.
