📈 Nuggets Move on & Home Field...Disadvantage?

🏀 Nuggets vs Lakers

In a thrilling Game 5, Jamal Murray led the Denver Nuggets to a nail-biting 108-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, marking LeBron James' earliest playoff exit ever. Despite being advised against playing due to a strained left calf, Murray scored 32 points, including a decisive game-winner with just 3.6 seconds remaining. The game, which saw 16 lead changes and 10 ties, was only decided when a half-court attempt by the Lakers fell short as time expired. Nikola Jokic nearly achieved a triple-double, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis put up strong performances for the Lakers. The Nuggets now move on to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Round 2, building on their impressive home record and looking to overcome physical challenges after a tough series.

🏠 Is Home Field Still an Advantage?

Fans always want the home game. They clamor for the 1 seed in the playoffs to secure the home field advantage. But is that something that matters much anymore in professional sports? In college, I would say no doubt about it, but in the four major sports leagues, it’s not as much as an advantage as one would think.

The numbers show higher percentages of losses at home than what fans probably believe. The NFL being the lowest number isn’t too surprising but the fewest amount of games played in a playoff time period makes sense there. We always want our teams to ‘steal one or two on the road to get back home” in a playoff series, but it’s not as much of a given as it used to be. Some series now in the NHL, NBA, and MLB are being dominated by the road teams, just like in the ALCS last year: The Astros and Rangers traded wins at each others ball park until Game 7 forced the Rangers to win at home.