The Mavericks have sold out an NBA-high 477 consecutive home games, but Owner Mark Cuban said they have "about a thousand tickets left" for their Oct. 30 home opener against the Hawks. The DALLAS MORNING NEWS notes the streak "goes back to Dec. 15, 2001, and they took the reigns as the longest-active streak in sports" when the Red Sox failed to sell out a game in April. If the Mavericks "do manage to sell out their opener, their struggles in doing so are an ominous sign for keeping the streak alive through the rest of the season" (DALLASNEWS.com, 10/23).
KING ME: In Oakland, Marcus Thompson writes what the Kings "really seem to want that the Warriors have is a speedy transition into relevance." The Warriors only three years ago "were scrubs," but now are "being talked about as contenders." The Kings "are hungry for a resurgence," and the "vibe in Sacramento seems to be anticipating something big" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 10/23). The AP's Antonio Gonzalez noted the Kings are "coming off their seventh straight losing season and are just beginning a rebuilding project that's likely years away from completion." Kings Managing Partner Vivek Ranadive is "trying to lay a solid foundation first -- right down to fixing all the potholes in the parking lot" (AP, 10/22).
WHITE HOT HEAT: In Ft. Lauderdale, Craig Davis notes the Heat's Dec. 25 road game against the Lakers "has the highest median ticket price currently on the secondary market at $479." Heat-Knicks on Feb. 1 ranks second at $399, and the Heat are "involved in five of the 10 most expensive matchups of the season" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 10/23). Meanwhile, ESPN's Darren Rovell notes the 76ers are using Living Social to discount tickets for their Oct. 30 home opener against the Heat (TWITTER.com, 10/23).
CITY OF ANGELS: TNT's Reggie Miller yesterday said of the Clippers covering up the Lakers' championship banners in Staples Center, "I love it! It's about time. You cannot tell me that any Clippers coaches before have not thought about that and gone to management and actually said something." Miller: "I think it's a brilliant move. You are telling your team: 'We're taking over L.A., and we respect the banners ... but this is our time'" (L.A. TIMES, 10/23).
