Average ticket price for league rises to $45.92

CHICAGO -- Following record attendance last season, NBA ticket prices are up an average 3.1 percent this year to $45.92, according to a report released Wednesday by Chicago-based Team Marketing Report Inc.

The Los Angeles Lakers are still the most expensive ticket, up 2 percent from last season to $79.21 despite missing the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Next most expensive is the New York Knicks at $70.51 and the Sacramento Kings at $59.80.

The teams with the biggest ticket price increases are the Phoenix Suns, up 10.6 percent to $51.66; and the Miami Heat, up 10 percent to $50.87.

Three teams dropped their prices: the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Hornets, who will play their games in Oklahoma City because of Hurricane Katrina.