Clippers Raise Most Prices

The Clippers, confident they’re poised to make a serious run for the playoffs next season, have raised ticket prices in eight of 10 seating areas in Staples Center, an increase of as much as 20% in the prime locations.

Only the price of seats in two upper-level areas did not change.

The Clippers, however, still charge much less than the Lakers charge for the same seats, and tickets purchased on a season basis are deeply discounted.

For instance, the face value of seats in six of the lower-level sections between the baskets is $150, up from $125 last season, but they’re sold for $102 if purchased for all 44 home dates, including three exhibitions.

The Lakers will charge $210 for the same seats next season, with no discount for season-ticket holders.

The lowest-priced tickets to see an NBA game at Staples Center will remain $15 for the Clippers, $25 for the Lakers.

A spokesman for the Clippers, whose 27-14 home record last season was their best in 12 years, said the team has received few complaints about the price increases. The club has taken 400 new orders for season tickets since the 2004-05 season ended last month, spokesman Joe Safety said.

The Clippers were 37-45 and 10th in the Western Conference, eight games out of the final playoff spot and ahead of the Lakers for the first time in 12 years and only the third time in the Clippers’ 21 seasons in Los Angeles.

-- Jerry Crowe