Cavs, Lakers vying for home edge
The importance of winning the NBA's top overall seed can be summed up in three small numbers:
2-3-2.
That's the series format the NBA goes to in the Finals. Since 1985, back when the Celtics and Lakers were routinely facing off for the league crown, the NBA switched the format from 2-2-1-1-1 (as it is for the first three rounds) to a more travel-convenient 2-3-2 setup. Since then, only one team has swept the middle three games at home (the 2004 Pistons), placing added importance on securing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Who can benefit from home-court most? Statistics say Cleveland, which is threatening to finish a record-tying 40-1 at home this season. But the Lakers (31-5 at home this season) looked like a different team in losing three games in Boston in the 2008 Finals. This fight to the finish -- the Cavaliers entered the week with a two-game lead over the Lakers -- is the only drama left for the runaway conference leaders.
(All stats and records are through Sunday.)
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