Yes, the #1 seed wins the championship more often than any other seed. That's correct.

And last year, the home team went 14-1 in playoff series. 14-1 !!!

The NHL is a different story for a multitude of reasons, but in the NBA, the home team is the best team and has a huge advantage.

The Celtics would be wise to finish number one. Then they could let the Magic and Cavs battle it out in the conference semis, and wait for the winner in the conference finals.

14-1 !!!!!!!!!


Sandra

Agreed. And to take it a step further, last year the Celtics were 13-1 at home and 3-9 on the road in the playoffs.

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~russ from rhody~

And to take it a step further, let's review a larger sample piece......

Take for instance the regular season home/away records. Currently, of all 30 NBA teams, only 2 teams have a better road record than at home (Clippers and Nets).

What does this show? 93% of the league wins more games at home than away.

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“Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life.” -- Anthony Bourdain

Sometimes injuries are a blessing in disguise. I don't know how long West is out, but the bench will get some very valuable playing time, which will help you come the "real season".

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Everybody is entitled to my opinion.

I was going recently....since 1997, the #1 seeds ONLY one it 5 of last 12 years. IF you wanna go back to the dark ages before you, me everyone else was even a thought....yeah...you might be right. But the simple fact remains, in the last 12 years....since #1 seed has ONLY won the whole thing in 5 times in 12 years...that PROVES that home court really does not mean much because the better team won the series.

Again, the regular season and the playoffs are two different seasons....in the regular season you are more than likely play alot of middle of the road or bad teams MANY times over. You are not gonna see that in the playoffs.

Well if it's any consolidation, I'm hoping that Salsa is right about the regular season being meaningless. Us Clevelanders were awfully excited with our chances at obtaining home court throughout the playoffs. As it turns out, we are now without 3 of our 5 starters due to injuries/illnesses. With the losses, I expect the team to slip a bit. If this results in not getting home court, I hope it won't matter.

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“Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life.” -- Anthony Bourdain

I was going more recently than you even. Last year, if you read my post. 14-1 last year. Last year is not quite the dark ages...


Sandra

Injuries are an exception, when the team with home court advantage is not always the best team come playoff time. I think the Knicks were the only number eight seed to win a series, and they were devastated by injuries that year...but they were healthy for the playoffs.

Home court is still a factor, but at least you have a chance. IF Utah gets back to full strength by the playoffs, they're going to be a tough draw...assuming they make the playoffs.

I'm just saying you can't say the regular season is meaningless, recent and past history proves significantly otherwise. Even notice is's always the fans of the teams not at the top that say the regular season is meaningless?


Sandra

I heard on SportsCenter that the injury will:

1. Only keep him out for 2-3 weeks

2. Is on his non-shooting hand

So, it is NOT a season-ender!

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"I made up my mind, but I made it up both ways." Casey Stengel