The Heat in their first season since the departure of LeBron James have sold out all 19 home games and extended its "home sellout streak to 224," but that counts "paid attendance, not bodies in the seats," according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. For "non-marquee games, there seem to be more unfilled seats in the lower bowl than last season." White Glove Int'l CEO Michael Lipman, whose company "partners with the Heat on re-selling tickets, said Heat tickets on the secondary market are generating far less money this season than last." However, he said that the development "has resulted in more paid tickets being re-sold to people who want to attend games." Lipman did say premium seats "are down a third of the price from last year." Jackson noted the Heat face a "challenge" this offseason, as the "multiyear contracts for many of the premium seats are expiring." Meanwhile, Sun Sports is averaging a 5.1 local rating in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale for Heat games to date, "ranking fourth-highest among NBA teams." While the number is "very solid," it is down 23% from a 6.8 last season, when the Heat were seeking their third straight NBA title. The team also has "dropped in merchandise sales from first overall last season to eighth" from October-December '14 (MIAMIHERALD.com, 1/15).
REACHING THE CENTURY CLUB: In S.F., Rusty Simmons reports the Warriors on Wednesday celebrated the club's 100th consecutive sellout, which "ranks seventh among active streaks in the league." The streak goes back to the '12 home opener and is the team's longest streak since the capacity at the 19,596-seat Oracle Arena "was increased from 15,025" prior to the '97-98 season. Former NBAers Al Attles and Adonal Foyle "greeted fans as the entered the arena" for Wednesday's game against the Heat, and Warriors C Festus Ezeli "stood at center court and made a speech to the crowd." During the game, "videos of appreciation were played on the overhead screens" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/16).
