The Pacers enter Friday's game against the Raptors with a 31-19 record and riding a 15-game winning streak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but there have been "lots of empty green seats in the building" this season, according to Mike Wells of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. The team ranks 26th in the NBA with an average of 14,592 fans per game. While it is an increase of 1,320 fans per game "from last season, that's still not enough." Pacers G George Hill said of the turnout, "It's very disappointing. The fans show up when we play the marquee teams, but they show up wearing the marquee team's clothes." Wells noted fans "had every right to stay away" during the team's "long rebuilding period." The players on the team several years ago also "were an embarrassment at times to the city," but the current roster is stocked with "players who care about the community." Hill: "That's what bothers me. We're doing the right thing. We're staying out of trouble, being positive role models in the community." Pacers coach Frank Vogel said after Tuesday's win over the Hawks in which just 12,578 fans were in the arena, "I'm hopeful that all you Pacers fans sitting at home watching on TV start coming out and seeing us because this is a special team that we're putting together here." Wells noted "times are tough around the economy," but the Pacers have "offered a variety of ticket promotions." Data compiled by the team showed the average Pacers ticket price is 60% "less than the league norm" (INDYSTAR.com, 2/7).
