The home court advantage has been a defining factor in the early stages of the NBA playoffs, with home teams dominating their opponents. Through 11 first-round games, home teams have emerged victorious on all occasions and hold an impressive 8-3 spread record heading into Tuesday’s playoff action. This dominance extends to the play-in tournament, where home teams have compiled a remarkable 16-1 straight-up record. The lone blemish on their record came in the opening Western Conference play-in game, when the New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Los Angeles Lakers. The last time home teams enjoyed such a comprehensive first-round performance was in 2004. Additionally, this marks the first time since 2013 that all eight first-round Game 1s have been won by the home team. Betting on home teams has proven to be a lucrative strategy, with bettors who placed a $100 moneyline bet on every home team reaping a $905 profit. However, these home victories have not come without challenges. On Saturday, the New York Knicks trailed the Philadelphia 76ers entering the fourth quarter before rallying to outscore them by ten in the final period and secure the win. The following day, the Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly escaped with a 94-92 victory over the Pelicans. Monday night’s doubleheader on TNT provided more thrilling moments. The Knicks pulled off a miraculous Game 2 comeback, overcoming a five-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining. Donte DiVincenzo’s clutch three-pointer with 13 seconds to go sealed the Knicks’ victory. In the nightcap, the Denver Nuggets rallied from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Lakers, capped off by Jamal Murray’s buzzer-beater. The Minnesota Timberwolves will aim to extend the home court streak when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday evening.
Home Court Dominance: Home Teams Unbeaten in NBA Playoffs
