I've crunched the numbers. I've read the Times-Picayune. I've recrunched the numbers.

I still can't find where the paper came up with its total since Dec. 1, the agreed upon date for New Orleans to average 17,735.

After getting 17,388 fans - the team's sixth straight sellout and 12th in the past 17 games - New Orleans Arena is seeing an average 14,732.

That's not bad, especially since in December, the franchise was averaging 12,215 fans.

But here's the deep dark secret of the deal the state and Hornets signed earlier in the year - New Orleans has to average 14,735 through the end of next season, not just the end of this season.

So, while it's good and impressive that the city got to the Hugo Line so quickly, next season needs to see a large attendance push as well.

(Thanks to my man Mr. Crovetto for pointing out that I had too many 17's. We're now corrected. Hornets are averaging 14,732.)

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