The tricky thing about the home teams' dominance in this year's NBA playoffs is that there is obviously a clear edge for the host in Game 7. So how does that affect the lower-seeded teams like the Spurs in Game 6 tonight, knowing that a victory sends them back to New Orleans for the series finale? ESPN's Marc Stein probed this question today and wrote the following:
"There is one silver (and black) lining in that scenario for San
Antonio. An unexpected three-day break between Games 6 and 7 would
figure to help the older Spurs be at their freshest for the series
decider and possibly give the carefree Hornets more time than Scott
would prefer to start thinking about the enormity of the moment."
Yes, you read that correctly. Game 7 of this series would not take place until next Monday. Is that a joke or what? What's even funnier is that there will be NO PLAYOFF GAMES on Saturday because the Pistons have already advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Oopsy.
Game 7 of the Cavs/Celtics series would be on Sunday while we would later have the Lakers & Jazz battling it out in the second game of a Game 7 doubleheader on Monday if that series goes the distance. I simply think the playoffs go on too long, and the scheduling is definitely ridiculous due to the TV networks controlling what games are played when.
Ironically, the aging Spurs are only 4-5 ATS when playing on three days of rest or more while the young Hornets are 6-2 ATS. You've got to think it's mentally draining on the Spurs knowing they will have to combat a huge disadvantage if they win tonight. It's no prize to go on the road for Game 7, but I guess that's what makes an NBA champion.
The Celtics are very fortunate to have home-court advantage throughout the NBA Finals, so they don't have to win one road game along the way. However, you would think that comfortable way of thinking you will win every home game has to catch up to you at some point.
That's exactly why I played against Boston on Wednesday. RJ Bell pointed out that no NBA champion has ever won less than three road games en route to the championship, and I'm beginning to think that will eventually catch up to the Celtics.
What do you guys think?