For two straight seasons one of the biggest stories in the NBA season has belonged to the New York Knicks. Last year, it was The Melodrama and Carmelo Anthony’s trade to New York after months of rumor and speculation. This year, it’s Linsanity. While the two stories couldn’t be any different–one, a disgruntled superstar forcing a trade; the other, a classic underdog tale— they both have had a significant impact on the Knicks home ticket price average.

As shown above, in the week following the Carmelo trade last season, the average price for Knicks home games jumped 25%, from $204 to $256. This year, Linsanity has had an even bigger impact, raising prices an average of 33%, from $229 to $304. While fans in New York love their superstars, the above comparison clearly shows that they love a great Cinderella story even more.

The Knicks brass are also thrilled at the being back in the center of the basketball universe. The 2012 edition, however, has come at a significant discount to 2011. With his salary of $18 million, the buzz generated by Caremlo ‘s trade cost the Knicks $805,000 for each percentage point of price increase. This compares to just $23,000 for each percentage point increase that Linsanity has driven.

For those looking for score a deal Knicks games the rest of this year, there are only a handful of games left with tickets under $100. If Lin can continue to help the Knicks win, come Spring, the current average of $304 may be as distant a memory as Lin’s spot at the end of the Knicks bench.

Between the Knicks early season struggles and Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony both sidelined, ticket prices for Friday’s game vs. the Lakers took a major hit. The average price for the game fell from $544 in mid-January down to $400 on Tuesday, a drop of over 25%.

That all changed when Jeremy Lin burst onto the scene and Linsanity took over The Garden this week. After three great games by the Harvard grad–and three straight Knicks wins–prices have begun to climb, rising 26% since Tuesday from $407 to $514 (as of 11 AM today).

It’s amazing that a guy who wasn’t even part of Mike D’Antoni’s “plans” now has a bigger effect on ticket prices than the absence of the Knicks two superstars. Lin was sleeping on his brother’s couch a couple weeks ago, and now he’s the biggest show on Broadway.

If you’d like to be there on Friday and take part in the next chapter of Linsanity, click on the view tickets button below.

To a sports fan, seeing the thrill of victory in person is the ultimate reward. Unfortunately, not every game turns out the way you want it to. If you’d prefer to avoid that 9-3 loss in 20 degree weather or that 7-1 blowout, TiqIQ and OperationSports are introducing TiqSims to help.  In addition to providing you all the data you need to get the best deal, we’ll be running game simulations on the biggest games of the week.  We hope this gives you a better idea of what you’re getting in return for your hard-earned dollars.
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Our inaugural TiqSim takes place at the Worlds Most Famous Arena— Madison Square Garden—and features two of the NBA’s biggest stars: Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James.  Game one features The Nuggets vs. Knicks on Sunday, 12/12 and Game two features The Heat vs. Knicks on Friday, 12/17.   Over the last year, Knicks fans have spent a lot of energy wondering if ‘Bron and Melo would end up in Orange and Blue.  Now they get the chance to root against them and see if their 15-9 Knicks can continue their hot play against two elite teams.
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According to our TiqSims, both games will come down to the wire.  Not surprisingly, both Anthony and James have huge games.  Unfortunately for Knicks fans, both games end up going against the home team. Because of the relative value of the Nuggets/Knicks game (19% below Knicks home avg.), we give it a TiqSim rating of 9.  Because of the astronomical price for Knicks/Heat (232% above Knicks home avg.), we give it a rating of 8. With dramatic finishes and the mega star wattage on display, however, these are both games you’ll be talking about for weeks, if not years, to come.
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Deal Tips

Nuggets/Knicks, 12/12.
With less than 24 hours to Knicks/Nuggets, prices remain 19% below the Knicks $156 home average and 9% above their $138 day-game average. As a result, there are some great deals, especially in TiqZone 300’s Corner where prices are down 38% over the last week and there are still over 300 tickets available.

Click here for Deals on Nuggets/Knicks
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Heat/Knicks, 12/17.
As for the Heat game on Friday night, this is as big, and expensive as it gets. At an average price of $518, tickets are selling for 232% more than the Knicks season average, and should remain very high all the way to gameday. While the best deal on the board is around $140, quantity remains very high, with over 6,000 tickets available. With only 6 days until the game, if tickets don’t move, prices could drop as much as 25%, especially in TiqZones with the largest amount of inventory, like 300’s and 400’s Corner. Keep your eyes peeled.

Click here for deals on Heat/Knicks

For tickets to either of these games, click on the links below:

12/12 – Knicks vs. Nuggets

12/17 – Knicks vs. Heat