Turnstile Tracker: NBA Attendance Off 3.4%; Pacers Down 21.5%

The NBA is averaging 17,100 fans per game through February 11, down 3.4% from the same period last year. The NBA also is slightly up (0.1%) over the NHL at this point in the '07-08 season, with the NHL averaging 17,075 fans per game. The Eastern Conference is down 2.2%, with the Pacers seeing the biggest decline (-21.5%). The Pistons hold a slim lead over the Bulls in average attendance, bringing in 22,076 fans per game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Raptors are seeing the biggest jump at the turnstiles, up 10.5% from a year ago, while the Celtics are up 9.7% at TD Banknorth Garden. As the NBA heads into All-Star Weekend, the following presents team-by-team attendance for the Eastern Conference, with comparisons to the same point last season. See tomorrow's issue of THE DAILY for the NBA's Western Conference attendance (THE DAILY).