The NBA Playoffs have seen a trend of home teams dominating during the early rounds. Through 11 first-round games, teams are undefeated on their home courts and have an 8-3 record against the spread. This trend extends back to the play-in tournament where home teams are an impressive 16-1 straight up, with the lone loss coming from the Pelicans against the Lakers. This marks the first time since 2004 that home teams have won the first 11 games in the NBA playoffs and all eight first-round Game 1s have been won by the home team as well.
According to Action Network, a bettor who had placed a $100 moneyline bet on every home team so far would be up $905. While the wins for home teams have been impressive, they have not come without challenges. Teams like the Knicks and Thunder have had to mount comebacks in the fourth quarter to secure their victories. The game two between the Knicks and 76ers was particularly memorable with the Knicks staging a five-point comeback in the final 30 seconds, culminating in a game-winning three-point shot from Donte DiVincenzo with 13 seconds left. The Thunder also had a close call against the Pelicans, winning by just two points in Oklahoma City.
In the recent doubleheader on TNT, the Knicks continued their dramatic run by defeating the 76ers in a thrilling game. Meanwhile, the Nuggets defended their home court with a remarkable 20-point comeback win over the Lakers, sealed with a buzzer-beater from Jamal Murray to take a 2-0 lead in the series. The Timberwolves also hope to continue the streak when they face the Suns in Minnesota in one of the games scheduled for Tuesday night.
The success of home teams in the playoffs has been a significant factor so far, with teams proving to have a clear advantage when playing in their home arenas. This dominance has been reflected in their straight-up wins as well as their performance against the betting spread. The strong performance of home teams is reminiscent of past playoff seasons, with certain years showing similar trends. For fans and bettors alike, this dominance brings an added level of excitement and unpredictability to the playoffs.
These early successes for home teams also highlight the competitive nature of the playoff games. While the wins have been coming, they have often been hard-fought battles with teams having to overcome deficits and execute under pressure. The excitement of close games and thrilling finishes adds to the intensity of the playoff atmosphere, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. As the playoffs progress, the resilience and talent of teams will continue to be tested, leading to more memorable moments and surprising results. With the home teams flourishing at the start of the playoffs, the rest of the series promises to be filled with excitement and entertainment for NBA fans around the world.
