May 25, 1985
2-3-2 GIVES LA AN EDGE
One X-factor in the 1985 NBA championship series will be the format. Instead of the established 2-2-1-1-1 method, which has been used in 30 of the previous 38 final series, the NBA will now emulate major league baseball and the NHL by going to a 2-3-2 arrangement.
The stated reason is financial. It costs money for everyone concerned to travel coast-to-coast-to-coast during a seven-game series. It would not cost so much money if the finals were between Atlanta and Houston, but the NBA, in its infinite wisdom, will cross that bridge when it comes to it.
Will the new format favor one side or the other? Consider this: In the 30 previous 2-2-1-1-1 series, the visiting team got a split on the home team's court 17 times. But after attaining that split, only six of those 17 went on to win the championship.
In the four previous 2-3-2 series, the visiting teams earned two splits. None won the championship.
But the most interesting aspect of a seven-game series is Game 5. Winning Game 5 is very important, and being at home is very helpful. There have been 14 2-2-1 series in which the series was tied at 2-2 with the fifth game on the home team's court. The home team won 10. The only one of those teams which won Game 5 but failed to win the series was - isn't this a yuk? - the 1969 Lakers. And the only visiting team which won Game 5 but failed to win the series was - you're going to love this - the 1962 Lakers. Overall, 12 of the 14 teams which won Game 5 of a 2-2-1 series tied at two apiece won the series.
The Celtics will not have Game 5 at home. The Lakers will. No wonder LA coach Pat Riley says, "If I were the Celtics, I'd be hollering, too."
No comments:
Post a Comment