Knicks' Sellout Streak Examined; Many Suns Fans Absent

The Celtics-Knicks game at MSG Tuesday night "was [packed] with hundreds, if not thousands, of empty seats," and "it has been like that many nights" at MSG this season, according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES, who writes, "Yet, the game was a sellout, the 402nd consecutive one since early 1993." Sandomir: "In the somewhat tortured logic of Knickonomics, sellouts have no connection to a full house." More Sandomir: "Not long ago, no one disputed that the Knicks sold out. ... No-shows usually averaged 300 back then; 1,000 was deemed an unacceptable level, one that now appears to be exceeded regularly." Meanwhile, Sandomir writes that the "reasons for avoiding the Garden are twofold: the rising cost of tickets and the Knicks' mediocrity" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/13).

MISSING THE ACTION: In Phoenix, Norm Frauenheim notes last night's Kings-Suns game drew a crowd of 14,568 to 19,023-seat America West Arena. Suns coach Scott Skiles: "It's a shame we didn't have more fans out there to see this win. I understand the economic situation, but we do have an exciting team. I hope people think that. Our record [14-9] isn't always indicative. ... We are going to be a force as the season goes on" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 12/13).

CARTER COUNTRY: The TORONTO STAR reports the Raptors' total season ticket count of 15,353 is the "second-highest total" in the NBA. The Raptors renewed 97% of their season tickets for this year and sold another 4,200 full-season tickets over the summer and fall (TORONTO STAR, 12/13).