March 13, 2015
A Christmas Day matchup between the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers was one of the most anticipated matchups of the NBA season. It was the first return of LeBron James to Miami since deciding to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency. The game was one of the most expensive on the secondary market, too. The average price was $446.28 with a get-in price of $104. The two teams will meet again in Miami on Monday night, but at almost half the price.
Since the Christmas Day game, the Cavaliers and Heat have seen differing results. Cleveland left the game with a record of 17-11 as a team still trying to figure out an identity on the court. Miami was treading water at a record of 14-16. Since then, the Cavaliers have turned into one of the best teams in the league and currently hold the No. 2 seed with a record of 42-25. Miami, meanwhile, is hanging on the the No. 8 seed in the East with a record of 29-35.
Because of that disparity, ticket prices for the game are 47% below the average from December. The current average price for Heat vs Cavaliers tickets on Monday night is $238.13 with a get-in price of $48. Miami fans are more concerned with beating the Cavaliers to hang onto the final playoff spot than searching for a moral victory against James.
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Miami is in a race with the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets for the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds. Five wins separate the No. 7 Pacers and the No. 11 Nets. Miami sits a game behind Indiana for the No. 7 seed, which would likely set up a first round matchup against Cleveland.
After Monday, there will be one more regular season matchup between these teams. The game will be played at Quicken Loans Arena on April 2. Cavaliers vs Heat tickets have an average price of $421.50 with a get-in price of $48. The average is 94% above the average of the previous February 11 matchup in Cleveland.
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With all four games between these two teams averaging over $200 on the secondary market during the regular season, a potential first round playoff series between these two teams could see huge demand on the secondary market.
