Comments on: Boxscore Breakdown: Finals, Game 2

By: Janella Rekemeyer

Janella Rekemeyer — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:52:02 +0000

great post thanks ive bookmarked this for later use

By: basketbol nba

basketbol nba — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:52:46 +0000

I predict about this series as Lakers won 4-2 ,but if Howard grows his performance up,it could be a 7 game series,beat la,go hedo

By: Sports Geek

Sports Geek — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:50:55 +0000

I actually predict Lakers in 5. I don't think Orlando can match up with the depth the Lakers have in the front court, and how effectively the guards have disrupted Howard's shooting motion. Check out the debate over at The Sports Debates about how Orlando can win, or if the Lakers have it wrapped up: http://www.thesportsdebates.com

By: Eddy

Eddy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:38:41 +0000

Looks like you're Lakers in 6 prediction is looking good, Neil.

Hah.

By: Neil Paine

Neil Paine — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:42:44 +0000

Teams that go up 2-0 in the Finals with the first 2 games coming at home have won 24 out of 27 instances (89%); in all other rounds of the playoffs, their series winning percentage is 95%. This difference could be attributable to the 2-3-2 format (which supposedly gives the underdog more of an opportunity to overcome an 0-2 deficit), but since less than half of those Finals instances have occurred since the move to 2-3-2 (1986, 1987, 1989, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), and the favorite's percentage is actually better under the current format, I think you can explain the discrepancy simply with the fact that the Finals are theoretically going to be the most evenly-matched series of the playoffs (certainly more so than your typical 1st-round series).

By: Jeremy Gibbs

Jeremy Gibbs — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:07:51 +0000

Question: what is the probability an NBA team wins the series when leading 2 games to 0? Is this probability different in the finals?