Periodically, we’ll fill you in on what’s trending in the playoffs with a bite-sized rundown of the hot issues. Here’s the first installment:
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Through 11 NBA playoff games, the home team has won all of them. Those are the higher-seeded teams in each series with the home-court advantage, so maybe it shouldn’t be shocking.
But it is.
When will the madness stop?
Maybe tonight with the Mavericks?
That would be a great place to start because the playoffs so far have been surprising because of the home-healthy results.
In this era, being a road warrior in the NBA is more common than in the past. The home teams are more at risk than ever before. At least, that was true in the regular season.
The road team was virtually .500 in the Western Conference this season (305-310). Nine of the 15 teams had winning road records, including the 25-16 Mavericks. That also was the same as their home record, you may recall.
So while they were a very solid team on the road, they were vulnerable at American Airlines Center. In fact, there were no safe havens on the home courts in the Western Conference with the exception of Denver and Oklahoma City, both of whom were 33-8 at home.
Every other West team lost at least 11 games on their home floor.
That’s why the prevailing wisdom going into the playoffs was that the Mavericks were going to have to win twice in LA against the Clippers to take this first-round series.
That was before this trend of home domination began, however. This year was the first time since 2013 that the home team won every Game 1 in the first round.
And it’s been a remarkable pattern that has kept the home team spotless so far.
When Jamal Murray canned a tough jump shot over Anthony Davis with the clock nearing midnight on Monday, the Denver Nuggets pulled out a 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to keep the home teams perfect.
Earlier Monday, New York pulled off a stunner by scoring eight points in the final 20-odd seconds and defeating Philadelphia.
This won’t go on forever.
Sooner or later a road team is going to break through, open the flood gates and the law of averages will even out.
Could it start with the Mavericks tonight?
Tune in at 9 p.m. on Bally’s Sports Southwest or TNT.
Interestingly, the Mavericks are slight favorites (1 1/2 points), just as they were in Game 1.
Where to watch: While the cozy confines of your couch is always an option, if you want to get out and party with other MFFLs, virtually every sports-oriented establishment in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will have the game on. The official watch party, presented by Michelob Ultra, will be at Echo Lounge across Stemmons from the AAC, with doors opening at 8:30 p.m. The event is free and all sorts of swag and concessions will be available.
X: @ESefko
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