Utah Jazz ticket sales surge

Between the lines: The NBA's new in-season tournament could be driving fan interest earlier in the season, says StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli.

• The tournament kicks off Friday.

Catch up quick: Not many knew what to expect of the Utah Jazz entering last year, Axios' Ross Terrell writes. Most fans and pundits thought it would be a season to tank after trading their two star players and landing a new coach.

• They surprised a lot of people with a hot start, winning 10 of their first 13 games.
• Yes, but: Utah came back down to Earth and missed the playoffs finishing 37-45 in a stacked Western Conference.

What they're saying: "NBA (ticket) sales are up 60% compared to this time last year," says Budelli.

The intrigue: The Jazz ranked in the top 15 in tickets sold for away games this season, per StubHub.

What's next: Coming off their loss against the Denver Nuggets last night, the Jazz play vs. the Memphis Grizzlies at the Delta Center on Nov. 1.