How To Find The Cheapest 2023 NBA Playoff Tickets + On Sale Info
May 18, 2021
Where and How to Buy 2023 NBA Playoff Tickets
Primary market 2023 NBA Playoff tickets are available for most teams via Ticketmaster. Some team's primary market tickets will be available via AXS or Seatgeek.
On the secondary market, TicketIQ will have Fee-Free NBA Playoff tickets which also include a Refund Guarantee. Our Refund Guarantee states that if an event is canceled or deemed unfit for fans to attend, TicketIQ will refund ticket buyers in as soon as 15 days. That means that you can buy from TicketIQ worry-free. Customers on TicketIQ save between 15%-25% compared to other secondary market ticketing sites.
How Much Are 2023 NBA Playoff Tickets
2023 NBA Playoff ticket pricing is not yet available. Below is ticket prices from last year's playoffs.
Conference Semifinals
Conference Quarterfinals



Previous Season Information Below:
How Much Are 2021 NBA Finals Tickets
Currently, with an overall average list prices of $2,411 on secondary market, Suns vs Bucks NBA Finals tickets are the second most expensive we've ever tracked. The most expensive NBA Finals we've ever tracked was the 2019 series between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors. That series had an average price of $3,899, which was nearly $2,000 more than any other NBA Finals since 2011.
Following game 4 of the series, the cheapest tickets for game 5 of the series in Phoenix are $654, which is down 42% since prices peaked at $1,136 following the Suns game 2 win. For the Bucks, the cheapest tickets for game 6 was $724 at the start of the series, and fell to $710 after game 2. Since then, prices have risen 39% and currently start at $987 per ticket.
Then, after the Bucks won game 5, prices for game 6 continued to rise. As of Sunday morning, the cheapest ticket is now $1,453, which is up 110% since the end of game 2. Looking ahead to a potential game 7, those tickets start at $1,530.
Below is a look at the team and series average prices for each NBA Finals since 2011:
YEAR | TEAM | AVG | SERIES AVG |
2021
|
Suns | $2,894 |
$2,768
|
Bucks | $2,601 | ||
2019
|
Warriors | $4,427 |
$4,395
|
Raptors | $4,364 | ||
2018
|
Warriors | $1,720 |
$1,457
|
Cavaliers | $1,194 | ||
2017
|
Warriors | $2,059 |
$1,550
|
Cavaliers | $1,041 | ||
2016
|
Warriors | $2,080 |
$1,721
|
Cavaliers | $1,362 | ||
2015
|
Warriors | $1,615 |
$1,587
|
Cavaliers | $1,559 | ||
2014
|
Heat | $920 |
$836
|
Spurs | $751 | ||
2013
|
Heat | $1,097 |
$984
|
Spurs | $870 | ||
2012
|
Thunder | $1,339 |
$1,064
|
Heat | $788 | ||
2011
|
Mavericks | $957 |
$948
|
Heat | $938 |
2021 NBA Playoff Schedule
NBA Finals
(No. 2) Phoenix Suns vs. (No. 3) Milwaukee Bucks
- Game 1: Tuesday, July 6 - Bucks @ Suns, 9 p.m. ET | ABC
- Game 2: Thursday, July 8 - Bucks @ Suns, 9 p.m. ET | ABC
- Game 3: Sunday, July 11 - Suns @ Bucks, 8 p.m. ET | ABC
- Game 4: Wednesday, July 14 - Suns @ Bucks, 9 p.m. ET | ABC
- Game 5: Saturday, July 17 - Bucks @ Suns, 9 p.m. ET | ABC (if necessary)
- Game 6: Tuesday, July 20 - Suns @ Bucks, 9 p.m. ET | ABC (if necessary)
- Game 7: Thursday, July 22 - Bucks @ Suns, 9 p.m. | ABC (if necessary)
Western Conference Finals
(No. 2) Phoenix Suns vs. (No. 5) Los Angeles Clippers
- Game 1: Sunday, June 20 | Los Angeles at Phoenix, 12:30 PT, ABC
- Game 2: Tuesday, June 22 | Los Angeles at Phoenix, 6 PT, ESPN
- Game 3: Thursday, June 24 | Phoenix at Los Angeles, 6 PT, ESPN
- Game 4: Saturday, June 26 | Phoenix at Los Angeles, 6 PT ESPN
- Game 5: Monday, June 28 | Los Angeles at Phoenix, 6 PT ESPN
- Game 6: Wednesday, June 30 | Phoenix at Los Angeles, 6 PT, ESPN
- Game 7: Friday, July 2 | Los Angeles at Phoenix, 6 PT, ESPN
Eastern Conference Finals
(No. 3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (No. 5) Atlanta Hawks
- Game 1: Wednesday, June 23 | Hawks at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 2: Friday, June 25 | Hawks at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 3: Sunday, June 27 | Bucks at. Hawks, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 4: Tuesday, June 29 | Bucks at Hawks, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 5: Thursday, July 1 | Hawks at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Saturday, July 3 | Bucks at Hawks, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 7: Monday, July 5 | Hawks at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT (if necessary)
Eastern Conference Semifinals
(No. 1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (No. 5) Atlanta Hawks
- Game 1: Sunday, June 6 | Atlanta at Philadelphia, 1 ET, ABC
- Game 2: Tuesday, June 8 | Atlanta at Philadelphia, 7:30 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Friday, June 11 | Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7:30 ET, ESPN
- Game 4: Monday, June 14 | Philadelphia at Atlanta, TBD, TNT
- Game 5: Wednesday, June 16 | Atlanta at Philadelphia, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Friday, June 18 | Philadelphia at Atlanta, TBD, ESPN (if necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 20 | Atlanta at Philadelphia, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
(No. 2) Brooklyn Nets vs. (No. 3) Milwaukee Bucks
- Game 1: Saturday, June 5 | Milwaukee at Brooklyn, 7:30 ET, TNT
- Game 2: Monday, June 7 | Milwaukee at Brooklyn, 7:30 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Thursday, June 10 | Brooklyn at Milwaukee, TBD, ESPN
- Game 4: Sunday, June 13 | Brooklyn at Milwaukee,3:30 ET, ABC
- Game 5: Tuesday, June 15 | Milwaukee at Brooklyn, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Thursday, June 17 | Brooklyn at Milwaukee, TBD, ESPN (if necessary)
- Game 7: Saturday, June 19th | Milwaukee at Brooklyn, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
Western Conference Semifinals
(No. 2) Phoenix Suns vs. (No. 3) Denver Nuggets
- Game 1: Monday, June 7 | Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, 10 ET, TNT
- Game 2: Wednesday, June 9 | Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, 9:30 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Friday, June 11 | Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets, 10 ET, ESPN
- Game 4: Sunday, June 13 | Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets, 8 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Tuesday, June 15 | Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Thursday, June 17 | Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets, TBD, ESPN (if necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 20 | Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
(No. 1) Utah Jazz vs. (No. 4) Los Angeles Clippers
- Game 1: Tuesday, June 8 | Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz, 10 ET, TNT
- Game 2: Thursday, June 10 | Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz,10 ET, ESPN
- Game 3: Saturday, June 12 | Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers, 8:30 ET, ABC
- Game 4: Monday, June 14 | Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers, 10 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Wednesday, June 16 |Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Friday, June 18 | Phoenix at Los Angeles Clippers, TBD, ESPN (if necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 20 | Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
(No. 1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (No. 8) Washington Wizards
- Game 1: Sunday, May 23 | Washington at Philadelphia, 1 ET, TNT
- Game 2: Wednesday, May 26 | Washington at Philadelphia, 7 ET, NBA TV
- Game 3: Saturday, May 29 | Philadelphia at Washington 7 ET, ESPN
- Game 4: Monday, May 31 | Philadelphia at Washington, 7 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Wednesday, June 2 | Washington at Philadelphia, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 6: Friday, June 4 | Philadelphia at Washington, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 6 | Washington at Philadelphia, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
(No. 2) Brooklyn Nets vs. (No. 7) Boston Celtics
- Game 1: Saturday, May 22 | Boston at Brooklyn, 8 ET, ABC
- Game 2: Tuesday, May 25 | Boston at Brooklyn, 7:30 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Friday, May 28 | Brooklyn at Boston, 8:30 ET, ABC
- Game 4: Sunday, May 30 | Brooklyn at Boston, 7 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Tuesday, June 1 | Boston at Brooklyn, 7:30 ET, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Thursday, June 3 | Brooklyn at Boston, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Saturday, June 5 | Boston at Brooklyn, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
(No. 3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (No. 6) Miami Heat
- Game 1: Saturday, May 22 | Miami at Milwaukee, 2 ET, ESPN
- Game 2: Monday, May 24 | Miami at Milwaukee, 7:30 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Thursday, May 27 | Milwaukee at Miami, 7:30 ET, TNT
- Game 4: Saturday, May 29 | Milwaukee at Miami, 1:30 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Tuesday, June 1 | Miami at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 6: Thursday, June 3 | Milwaukee at Miami, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Saturday, June 5 | Miami at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
(No. 4) New York Knicks vs. (No. 5) Atlanta Hawks
- Game 1: Sunday, May 23 | Atlanta at New York, 7 ET, TNT
- Game 2: Wednesday, May 26 | Atlanta at New York, 7:30 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Friday, May 28 | New York at Atlanta, 7 ET, ESPN
- Game 4: Sunday, May 30 | New York at Atlanta, 1 ET, ABC
- Game 5: Wednesday, June 2 | Atlanta at New York, 7:30 ET, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Friday, June 4 | New York at Atlanta, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 6 | Atlanta at New York, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Western Conference - Quarterfinals
(No. 1) Utah Jazz vs. (No. 8) Memphis Grizzlies
- Game 1: Sunday, May 23 | Memphis at Utah, 9:30 ET, TNT
- Game 2: Wednesday, May 26 | Memphis at Utah, 10 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Saturday, May 29 | Utah at Memphis, 1 ET, ESPN
- Game 4: Monday, May 31 | Utah at Memphis, 9:30 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Wednesday, June 2 | Memphis at Utah, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 6: Friday, June 4 | Utah at Memphis, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 6 | Memphis at Utah, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
(No. 2) Phoenix Suns vs. (No. 7) Los Angeles Lakers
- Game 1: Sunday, May 23 | L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 3:30 ET, ABC
- Game 2: Tuesday, May 25 | L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 10 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Thursday, May 27 | Phoenix at L.A. Lakers, 10 ET, TNT
- Game 4: Sunday, May 30 | Phoenix at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 ET, ABC
- Game 5: Tuesday, June 1 | L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 10 ET, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Thursday, June 3 | Phoenix at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Saturday, June 5 | L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
(No. 3) Denver Nuggets vs. (No. 6) Portland Trail Blazers
- Game 1: Saturday, May 22 | Portland at Denver, 10:30 ET, ESPN
- Game 2: Monday, May 24 | Portland at Denver, 10 ET, TNT
- Game 3: Thursday, May 27 | Denver at Portland, 10:30 ET, NBA TV
- Game 4: Saturday, May 29 | Denver at Portland, 4 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Tuesday, June 1 | Portland at Denver, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 6: Thursday, June 3 | Denver at Portland, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Saturday, June 5 | Portland at Denver, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
(No. 4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (No. 5) Dallas Mavericks
- Game 1: Saturday, May 22 | Dallas at LA Clippers, 4:30 ET, ESPN
- Game 2: Tuesday, May 25 | Dallas at LA Clippers, 10:30 ET, NBA TV
- Game 3: Friday, May 28 | LA Clippers at Dallas, 9:30 ET, ESPN
- Game 4: Sunday, May 30 | LA Clippers at Dallas, 9:30 ET, TNT
- Game 5: Wednesday, June 2 | Dallas at LA Clippers, 10 ET, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Friday, June 4 | LA Clippers at Dallas, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
- Game 7: Sunday, June 6 | Dallas at LA Clippers, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
How Much Are 2021 NBA Playoff Tickets




Below are details and the currently cheapest prices for the seven potential games over the course of the 2019 NBA Finals.
Below is the average ticket prices on the secondary market for the Raptors and Warriors in 2019, as well as the next most expensive series. With the exception of the Raptors, each of the 10 most expensive NBA finals series have been for the Warriors, or a team with LeBron James.
🎟️🏀
All four of the teams that advanced to the NBA’s conference finals know the drill, after all, they’ve been in the playoffs for at least three consecutive seasons. But the only team making a repeat performance in the conference finals is the Golden State Warriors.
Secondary market tickets to a Warriors home game for their Western Conference Final series against the Portland Trail Blazers are among the priciest in history. The $1,133 average asking price is second only to last season’s $1,200 at Oakland when the Warriors played the Houston Rockets.
With an average price of over $900, Blazers tickets on the secondary market have the second highest average price and the highest get-in price. Combined, the Warriors-Blazers is the most expensive average price we've tracked for any conference final series. For fans looking to spend a little less, standing room tickets are available for all game at about a 10% discount to the cheapest seated ticket.
With three straight playoff appearances, Milwaukee is the least experienced playoff team in this year’s mix. The Bucks are playing the Toronto Raptors in a series that starts at Milwaukee on Wednesday. Tickets to that series are the seventh cheapest since 2011. The $461 average asking price to a game at Milwaukee is the least expensive among the four host cities. It’s the 19th priciest of the decade.
Check out other TicketIQ blog articles for deep dive on the ticket market for each team in the
NBA Conference Finals: Bucks, Raptors, Warriors, Blazers
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Series average asking price: $535
Milwaukee average asking price/get-in price: $482/$120
Toronto average asking price/get-in price: $606/$178
Game | Date | Tickets |
Game 1 @ MIL | 5/15 |
From $120 |
Game 2 @ MIL | 5/17 | From $152 |
Game 3 @ TOR | 5/19 | From $208 |
Game 4 @ TOR | 5/21 | From $178 |
Game 5 @ MIL | 5/23 | From $149 |
Game 6 @ TOR | 5/25 | From $215 |
Game 7 @ MIL | 5/27 | From $225 |
This conference final is the seventh priciest since TicketIQ began tracking data in 2011. The priciest is this year’s Western Conference Final and the cheapest was $223 in 2013 for the Western Conference San Antonio vs. Memphis final. A potential Game 6 at Toronto is trending as the priciest game of the series, with an average asking price of $732, while the cheapest is Game 1 at Toronto, which has a current average asking price of $312.
The Raptors and Bucks have played 89 regular-season games, and Milwaukee holds a 51-38 all-time series advantage. The first and only time the teams met in the playoffs was 2016-17, and the Raptors won, 4-2. Milwaukee is making its third consecutive playoff appearance, after missing the 2015-16 edition. The Bucks have advanced to the NBA Finals twice and won once, in 1970-71, when they swept the Baltimore Bullets. For both Finals appearances, the Bucks were members of the Western Conference.
Toronto, which joined the league in 1995-96 as an expansion team, is making its sixth straight playoff appearance. The last time the Raptors reached the conference finals was in 2015-16, when they lost to Cleveland, 4-2. The Raptors have never advanced to the NBA Finals.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Series average asking price: $982
Golden State average asking price/get-in price: $1,023/$127
Portland average asking price/get-in price: $928/$283
Game | Date | Tickets |
Game 1 @ GSW | 5/14 | From $157 |
Game 2 @ GSW | 5/16 | From $188 |
Game 3 @ POR | 5/18 | From $289 |
Game 4 @ POR | 5/20 | From $283 |
Game 5 @ GSW | 5/22 | From $239 |
Game 6 @ POR | 5/24 | From $304 |
Game 7 @ GSW | 5/26 | From $399 |
Despite their geographical proximity, Golden State and Portland didn’t meet in the playoffs until 2015-16, when the Warriors beat them in the conference semifinals in five games. Since then, this series marks the third playoff meeting, and Golden State won the previous two. The teams have been dominant during different eras – Golden State has won three NBA Finals in the last four years, while Portland won its only title in 1976-77, and got to the finals in two of three seasons between 1989-90 and 1991-92.
Portland is in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, and has reached the conference finals for the seventh time in franchise history. The Warriors are in the playoffs for the seventh straight season, have won the Finals six times, including twice as the Philadelphia Warriors (1946-47, 1955-56).
The Warriors’ average asking price of $1,133 is the second highest of the decade, behind last season’s $1,200 for a Golden State home game. Among individual games, a potential Game 7 has the highest average asking price at $1,554 while Game 4 at Portland has the lowest, at $636. Interestingly, the $157 get-in price at Golden State is the second cheapest of the four conference finals’ sites, while the $201 get-in price at Portland is the highest.
The NBA’s conference semifinals include a familiar matchup, the end of a five-year playoff drought and a series that pits two teams that haven’t played each other in the postseason since 1986.
Demand for the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets Western Conference Semifinals, which marks the fourth time these teams have met in the playoffs in five years, is the highest in the league, and the $790 average asking price for a Golden State second-round home game is the highest at Oakland in history, according to secondary ticket marketplace TicketIQ.com. The second priciest was a ticket to last season’s second round, for which fans paid an average of $580 to see the Warriors beat the Pelicans in five games. They went on to oust Houston, coming back from a 3-2 series deficit to win in Game 7 at Houston.
At the other end of the spectrum in the West, Denver is in the playoffs for the first time after a five-year drought, and is playing Portland in the playoffs for the first time in 33 years.
In the Eastern Conference, Boston is trying to erase the memory of giving up a 2-0 Conference Finals lead before losing to Cleveland last season. In addition, should the Celtics win the NBA Finals, and the Bruins win the NHL’s Stanley Cup, Boston would be the first city in history to hold all four professional sports titles in a 12-month period. The Celtics are playing the Bucks in the conference semifinals.
In the other Eastern Conference matchup, the Toronto Raptors are playing the Philadelphia 76ers in the postseason for the first time since 2000-01, when the 76ers eliminated the Raptors in a seven-game conference semifinals.
Below is a look at all four conference semifinals.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics
Series average asking price: $377
Milwaukee average asking price/get-in price: $403/$105
Boston average asking price/get-in price: $343/$106
PROMO CODES: Celtics25, Celtics50, Bucks25, Bucks50
Demand is high in Milwaukee for the Bucks first conference semifinals series since 2000-01. The $403 average asking price for a ticket to a game at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Stadium is the highest in the Eastern Conference, but third highest overall, and the $343 average at Boston’s TD Garden is the lowest in East. The priciest game of the series on the secondary market is currently a potential Game 7 at Milwaukee, which is trending at $668. The cheapest game of the series is Game 2 at Milwaukee, which has an average asking price of $220. The Bucks and Celtics have a healthy – and very even – history. The teams have played 213 times and the Celtics have a 109-104 all-time advantage, though Milwaukee won two of three during the 2018-19 regular season. Neither team struggled in the first round of the playoffs – the Bucks swept Detroit and the Celtics swept Indiana.
Game | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ MIL | $261 | $112 |
Game 2 @ MIL | $220 | $105 |
Game 3 @ BOS | $342 | $134 |
Game 4 @ BOS | $302 | $106 |
Game 5 @ MIL | $464 | $139 |
Game 6 @ BOS | $385 | $132 |
Game 7 @ MIL | $668 | $215 |
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Series average asking price: $358
Toronto average asking price/get-in price: $368/$95
Philadelphia average asking price/get-in price: $345/$114
This series features the second- and third-best teams during the regular season in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors won 58 and the 76ers won 51, making them two of only three teams in the East that won 50 or more games. Toronto dominated Philadelphia during the regular season, winning of three of four games, and holds a 54-38 all-time series advantage. The second-round game with the highest average asking price is a potential Game 7 at Toronto, which is trending at $484. The cheapest game of the series is Game 2 at Toronto, which has a $260 average asking price and $115 get-in price. Both Toronto and Philadelphia needed only five first-round games to advance. The Raptors ousted Orlando and the 76ers eliminated Brooklyn. Toronto is making its fourth consecutive second-round playoff appearance, but hasn’t won this round since 2015-16. Philadelphia is making its second straight appearance in the second round after a five-year playoff drought.
Game | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ TOR | $278 | $95 |
Game 2 @ TOR | $260 | $115 |
Game 3 @ PHI | $304 | $115 |
Game 4 @ PHI | $344 | $114 |
Game 5 @ TOR | $434 | $130 |
Game 6 @ PHI | $398 | $127 |
Game 7 @ TOR | $484 | $180 |
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
Series average asking price: $682
Golden State average asking price/get-in price: $790/$179
Houston average asking price/get-in price: $537/$151
The priciest series on the secondary market, Golden State and Houston also have the two highest average asking prices for home games -- $790 and $537, respectively. That demand is high should come as no surprise, as these teams have plenty of recent playoff history. The Warriors defeated the Rockets on their way to NBA championships in 2014-15 and 2017-18, and last season’s Western Conference Finals went seven games. Besides those two matchups, Golden State beat Houston in the first round in 2015-16 on its way to the Finals, where it lost to Cleveland. Maybe this time around will be different, as the Rockets beat the Warriors in three out of four regular-season meetings. The priciest game of this series, and across the NBA, is a potential Game 7 at Golden State, which is trending at $986 on the secondary market. The game with the lowest average asking price in this series is Game 3 at Houston, which is trending at $498. In the first round, Golden State eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in six games and Houston beat Utah in five games.
Game | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ GSW | $642 | $179 |
Game 2 @ GSW | $707 | $193 |
Game 3 @ HOU | $498 | $156 |
Game 4 @ HOU | $502 | $151 |
Game 5 @ GSW | $825 | $201 |
Game 6 @ HOU | $612 | $176 |
Game 7 @ GSW | $986 | $312 |
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Series average asking price: $294
Denver average asking price/get-in price: $323/$58
Portland average asking price/get-in price: $255/$93
In contract to the Golden-State Houston series, this series has the lowest average asking price on the secondary market across the NBA, and Denver and Portland are the two cheapest cities in which to see a conference semifinals. The priciest game of this series is $352 for a potential Game 7 at Denver, while the cheapest is $226 for Game 3 at Portland. These teams have played 190 times, including 10 times in the playoffs. While Portland holds a 98-82 all-time series advantage, the teams are 5-5 in the postseason, and each has won one playoff series, Denver in 1986 and Portland in 1977. During the 2018-19 regular season, Denver won three of four meetings, and the biggest margin of victory in any of those games was nine points. The Blazers are making their sixth consecutive playoff appearance, but haven’t advanced past the conferences semifinals in that stretch. Denver is making its first playoff appearance after a five-year drought. In the opening round, Denver needed seven games to defeat San Antonio, while Portland beat Oklahoma City in five games.
Game | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ DEN | $322 | $58 |
Game 2 @ DEN | $284 | $101 |
Game 3 @ POR | $226 | $96 |
Game 4 @ POR | $232 | $93 |
Game 5 @ DEN | $334 | $131 |
Game 6 @ POR | $305 | $123 |
Game 7 @ DEN | $352 | $198 |
LeBron James’ debut season in Los Angeles surely didn’t go how he hoped it would, and the Lakers, who finished the regular season 10th in the Western Conference, extended their playoff drought to six years. But Staples Center will still play host to an NBA first-round series, when the Clippers tip off against Golden State. The series starts at Oakland Saturday night.
Demand for this year’s NBA playoffs is strong, with the Golden State Warriors commanding $480 on the secondary market for a ticket at Oakland, according to secondary ticket marketplace TicketIQ.com. Only the 2108 Warriors with a $538 average, and the 2016 Warriors with a $482 average were higher this decade.
The NBA Playoffs begin Saturday and Sunday with four games each day. Depending on the lengths of the first-round series, the Conference Semifinals could begin as early as April 28, and the NBA Finals are set to start on May 30, the earliest start since 1986.
Secondary market average asking prices range from a low of $117 for the Milwaukee Bucks-Detroit Pistons series, to a high of $388 for the Toronto Raptors-Orlando Magic series, according to TicketIQ.com. The cheapest get-in price anywhere in the NBA is $30 at San Antonio, though fans can get into games at Denver and Indiana for as little as $32.
Below is a look at all eight first-round matchups.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons
Series average asking price: $171
Milwaukee average asking price/get-in price: $230/$82
Detroit average asking price/get-in price: $93/$32
The Bucks closed out the regular season as the only 60-game winner in the NBA, and enter the postseason as a favorite to win the Eastern Conference. This first round should easily go to Milwaukee, as Detroit advanced to the playoffs as an 8-seed, and had a .500 record. Tickets on the secondary market for this series are the cheapest of all the NBA first-round playoff series, and the $93 average in Detroit is the lowest anywhere in the league. The Pistons and the Bucks have played four times in the playoffs, most recently in 2006, and Detroit has won every time.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ MIL | $238 | $82 |
Game 2 @ MIL | $161 | $83 |
Game 3 @ DET | $89 | $40 |
Game 4 @ DET | $86 | $32 |
Game 5 @ MIL | $213 | $97 |
Game 6 @ DET | $103 | $40 |
Game 7 @ MIL | $308 | $138 |
Series average asking price: $388
Toronto average asking price/get-in price: $404/$92
Orlando average asking price/get-in price: $368/$91
The Raptors finished the season with the second best record in the NBA behind Eastern Conference champion Milwaukee — and ahead of Western Conference champion Golden State (57 wins). The $388 series average asking price on the secondary market is the highest across the NBA, and the $404 average for a game at Toronto is the highest in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors and Magic have met only one other time in the playoffs, in 2008, when Orlando won. The Magic, which finished seventh in the Eastern Conference, are in the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ TOR | $470 | $122 |
Game 2 @ TOR | $295 | $92 |
Game 3 @ ORL | $437 | $107 |
Game 4 @ ORL | $239 | $91 |
Game 5 @ TOR | $428 | $95 |
Game 6 @ ORL | $426 | $205 |
Game 7 @ TOR | $422 | $115 |
Series average asking price: $317
Philadelphia average asking price/get-in price: $254/$68
Brooklyn average asking price/get-in price: $400/$115
This series is the second most expensive on the secondary market in the Eastern Conference, and the average asking price for a game at Philadelphia is one of four with an average asking price of $400 or more across the NBA. The 76ers and Nets have met two other times in the postseason, and each team has won one series. Philadelphia finished the regular season third in the Eastern Conference and is making its second consecutive playoff appearance after a five-year drought. The Nets are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ PHI | $188 | $70 |
Game 2 @ PHI | $196 | $68 |
Game 3 @ BRK | $345 | $115 |
Game 4 @ BRK | $385 | $120 |
Game 5 @ PHI | $315 | $90 |
Game 6 @ BRK | $469 | $180 |
Game 7 @ PHI | $319 | $99 |
Series average asking price: $223
Boston average asking price/get-in price: $303/$65
Indiana average asking price/get-in price: $115/$32
This meeting marks the sixth time the Celts and Pacers have met in the NBA playoffs, and Boston holds a 3-2 all-time playoff series advantage. This time around, the series is the second cheapest in the Eastern Conference, and is a fairly even matchup. Through the regular season, the Celtics won one more game than the Pacers, though Boston won three of four against Indianapolis during the regular season, including beating Indiana 117-97 on April 5.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ BOS | $265 | $78 |
Game 2 @ BOS | $243 | $65 |
Game 3 @ IND | $106 | $33 |
Game 4 @ IND | $96 | $32 |
Game 5 @ BOS | $282 | $75 |
Game 6 @ IND | $144 | $36 |
Game 7 @ BOS | $422 | $107 |
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Series average asking price: $380
Golden State average asking price/get-in price: $480/$105
Los Angeles average asking price/get-in price: $247/$82
This series has the highest average asking price in the Western Conference, and second highest across the NBA, behind only the Toronto-Orlando series. The defending champion Golden State Warriors won the Western Conference with the third-best record in the league. These teams have met only one other time in the playoffs – in 2014, when the Clippers won. Los Angeles enters the series as a No. 8 seed and has a spotty playoff history. The Clippers have never gotten past the second round of the playoffs.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ GSW | $462 | $110 |
Game 2 @ GSW | $480 | $108 |
Game 3 @ LAC | $232 | $84 |
Game 4 @ LAC | $217 | $82 |
Game 5 @ GSW | $442 | $105 |
Game 6 @ LAC | $293 | $91 |
Game 7 @ GSW | $537 | $170 |
Series average asking price: $207
Denver average asking price/get-in price: $225/$58
San Antonio average asking price/get-in price: $182/$30
This series has the second lowest average asking price across the NBA and is the cheapest in the Western Conference. These teams have an extensive playoff history, but it’s San Antonio that has dominated. In six previous meetings, the Spurs have won five times. The Nuggets won the Northwest Division during the regular season while the Spurs finished seventh, but in the tightly packed Western Conference, that was only a difference of Denver winning six more games.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ DEN | $120 | $58 |
Game 2 @ DEN | $188 | $59 |
Game 3 @ SAS | $161 | $30 |
Game 4 @ SAS | $168 | $35 |
Game 5 @ DEN | $266 | $75 |
Game 6 @ SAS | $216 | $72 |
Game 7 @ DEN | $328 | $73 |
Series average asking price: $277
Portland average asking price/get-in price: $271/$45
Oklahoma City average asking price/get-in price: $285/$60
These teams are 2-2 against each other in the playoffs and last met in the postseason in 1991. There’s little rivalry here, as is reflected by demand, which is the second cheapest in the Western Conference and the fifth cheapest in the NBA. Portland is making its sixth straight playoff appearance, but has only advanced past the first round twice in that span, while Oklahoma City is making its fourth straight appearance and was one game away from getting to the NBA Finals in 2015-16.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ POR | $257 | $89 |
Game 2 @ POR | $234 | $45 |
Game 3 @ OKC | $287 | $75 |
Game 4 @ OKC | $255 | $60 |
Game 5 @ POR | $230 | $64 |
Game 6 @ OKC | $312 | $63 |
Game 7 @ POR | $362 | $126 |
Series average asking price: $325
Houston average asking price/get-in price: $418/$54
Utah average asking price/get-in price: $202/$62
The $418 average asking price on the secondary market for a seat at Houston is the second highest in the NBA, behind only Golden State, and the series average is third in the league. These teams have a rich playoff history, including last season’s second-round affair when Houston beat Utah in five games. The teams have played eight times in the postseason. The Jazz have advanced to the second round in each of the last two seasons, and are likely hoping for more this time around. The Rockets were a game away from advancing to the Finals in 2017-18, losing to eventual champion Golden State in seven games in the Western Conference Finals.
Game-By-Game Prices | Avg | Get-In |
Game 1 @ HOU | $309 | $54 |
Game 2 @ HOU | $306 | $55 |
Game 3 @ UTA | $229 | $84 |
Game 4 @ UTA | $204 | $62 |
Game 5 @ HOU | $528 | $104 |
Game 6 @ UTA | $171 | $70 |
Game 7 @ HOU | $530 | $182 |