As I watch Game 2 of the Cavs-Celtics series, the Celtics have managed to build over a 20 point lead with about 5 minutes remaining in the game. Assuming the Celtics continue on their commanding path, they’ll be up 2 games to 0 with the series headed back to Cleveland (a city pretty passionate about their Cavs as anybody who watched the Wizards series well knows).
Seeing Boston be so dominant at home (both in the four games of their Atlanta series and the two early ones of the Cavs series) and then seeing them play so poorly on the road, one has to wonder how the Celtics are going to come out on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Also, having seen a team be so great at home and so abysmal on the road, brings up the issue of home court advantage.
What is it about playing at home that makes Boston so much better? The familiarity of the court? The fan support? The homer working the scoreboard? There’s also tremendous advantages in other sports such as football and baseball when playing at home. My question is: which sport (either college or pro) does home court advantage really deliver the biggest advantage? And why? What are some of the best home court advantages you can remember as a fan, player, etc.?
Abysmal? comments like that kill me , the Celtics had the best road record in the league this year. They lost three close games to a young upstart Hawks team and all of a sudden their Abysmal?
It's the lucky Celtics' leprechauns hanging on the rims of the baskets. We pay them well. :) (But they have a poor road record? They do? Are you sure?)
Best home field advantage? For sheer respect and intimidation, Notre Dame. For sheer noise, you gotta go with any SEC school (Swamp, Neyland, Death Valley or Auburn) or Autzen Stadium (Oregon Ducks). I know Michigan Fans will disagree, but after the Ducks and App St. losses at the Big House, they lost their argument.
It's the talent on teams that make a difference. For example, the Hornets had similar records on the road and at home during the season. Any team can win anywhere at anytime.
If you add up the home wins for ALL the teams in the NBA during the regular season and add up the home losses for ALL the teams in the league, you'll find that it's close to .500
My name is Ben Goldstein and I'm a senior in high school and, soon to be, Maryland Terrapin. I've been writing sports commentaries for The Postscript, and I held a previous blog on Fox Sports' website. I'll write about anything from broad sports issues (like the recruiting of pre-pubescent basketball players by a major Div. 1 basketball program), as well as stories on my local hometown teams, the Baltimore Ravens, Maryland Terrapins and Baltimore Orioles. I'll often I'll throw out questions to the reader (whoever those couple people may be) and hope to hear some feedback. I like to consider myself the Tampa Bay Rays of blogging; young with some promise but in dire need of fan support and money. I'll try and get back to respond to comments as quickly as I can. Hope you enjoy.
