Is the format really 2-3-2 for finals?

**suicidekings** · 06-01-10, 07:08 PM

Yup

NBA Finals

**Vesuvius** · 06-01-10, 07:10 PM

2-3-2 is stupid. should be the same format throughout.

**W0lfy** · 06-01-10, 07:25 PM

Its just too difficult to travel from East to West for 1-1-1 so they have to do 2-3-2.

**dbldown** · 06-01-10, 11:28 PM

It's not too difficult, they've been doing it for years. I think it takes away suspense of the games..

**zogdog** · 06-01-10, 11:37 PM

Flying from LA to Boston to LA to Boston to LA is a lot of flight time. That's 3000 miles each flight. Expensive for media, and the players have to feel some effect.

**lakerboy** · 06-01-10, 11:41 PM

the 2-3-2 format gives a huge advantage to the team with 3 home games in the middle imo. all they have to do is get a split on the road and then they have 3 home games. system is bullshit.

**mundane** · 06-01-10, 11:49 PM

This format was implemented in 1985. I went as far as 1985 and collected data.

The home team has won 84 of a total of 139 games. This equals a .604 pct. There is clearly an advantage for the home team.

In regards with the three middle games, the home team (pretty much the team that starts the series on the road) has won 36 of 71 games. This equals a .507 pct. Which is not clearly an advantage. It's pretty much a toss up.

The home team has won those 3 middle games 2 times; 2 of those 3 middle games 13 times; 1 of those 3 middle games 4 times; and 0 of those 3 games 6 times.

In summary the home team playing those 3 middle games:

3-0; 2 times
2-1 (or 2-0); 13 times
1-2; 4 times
0-3 (or 02); 6 times

taken from...

**HauntingTheHoly** · 06-01-10, 11:49 PM

Originally posted by lakerboy

the 2-3-2 format gives a huge advantage to the team with 3 home games in the middle imo. all they have to do is get a split on the road and then they have 3 home games. system is bullshit.

Nonsense poopy pants. The 2-2-1-1-1 format is a BIG advantage for the favorite while the 2-3-2 is only a slight advantage for the favorite. The 2-3-2 allows the opportunity for the underdog to create tremendous pressure on the favorite for the reason you mention, however, the pressure will be on the underdog if they get down in the series and have to win the last TWO away. And if you're the favorite, you ought to accept the challenge of taking the first two at your home court and just stealing one (or even none, possibly) away to win the series. It works both ways.

**SportsTerminator** · 06-02-10, 12:17 AM

2-3-2 seems to favor the Lakers. Because it's hard for a team to win 3 straight without the other team picking up a revenge factor. You expect the Lakers to respond to one of those losses with a win. But again I still like Boston to win the series.

**carbonero77** · 06-02-10, 12:22 AM

in the nba and more in the finals all these factor are poorshit,,,the players does the team win in any circustance

**PlatinumBerg** · 06-02-10, 01:09 AM

Interesting format

**Capybara** · 06-02-10, 01:14 AM

It's a terrible and unnecessary format. The NBA set this up a long time ago for some reason that no longer even applies, I can't remember what though. If all the other series are 2-2-1-1-1, why the heck does the most important one of all lame out with a 2-3-2 ??!!

**Ralphie1412** · 06-02-10, 01:16 AM

I think its huge for the celtics not the lakers. The celtics can easily steal game 1. If they take a game in LA then have 3 home games after....thats huge.

**mundane** · 06-02-10, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by Capybara

It's a terrible and unnecessary format. The NBA set this up a long time ago for some reason that no longer even applies, I can't remember what though. If all the other series are 2-2-1-1-1, why the heck does the most important one of all lame out with a 2-3-2 ??!!

blame Red Auerbach for that!

**michalis** · 06-02-10, 01:55 AM

now I see why lakers werent trying for the top seed or even the second seed for that matter, in the finals there is no real home advantage, I would go as far as saying that the away team has the advantage

**Checkerboard** · 06-02-10, 02:12 AM

maybe go 3-3-1

**LT Profits** · 06-02-10, 10:14 AM

Finals have been 2-3-2 for what, about 20 years now?

**lakerboy** · 06-02-10, 10:18 AM

All Boston has to do is get one of 2 in la and go home and win 2 of 3 then go into la up 3-2 with 2 chances to close it out. I cant see how this format doesnt favor the celtics based on there road record this year and the lakers terrible road record.

**soxwin** · 06-02-10, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by Capybara

It's a terrible and unnecessary format. The NBA set this up a long time ago for some reason that no longer even applies, I can't remember what though. If all the other series are 2-2-1-1-1, why the heck does the most important one of all lame out with a 2-3-2 ??!!

It is the only series with a guaranteed eastern half of the country team playing a western half of the country team. Going 1-1-1 for games 5-7 is a travel nightmare for TV covering the event. In the rest of the playoffs no matter who is playing the travel isn't that bad cuz you are staying within one half of the country.

The players don't matter. everything is done for TV. If the players mattered then the series would have started on Monday.

**soxwin** · 06-02-10, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by lakerboy

All Boston has to do is get one of 2 in la and go home and win 2 of 3 then go into la up 3-2 with 2 chances to close it out. I cant see how this format doesnt favor the celtics based on there road record this year and the lakers terrible road record.

Wouldn't their road record be the same in a 2-2-1-1-1 format?

**soxwin** · 06-02-10, 10:28 AM

the 2-3-2 format is a huge advantage for the favored home team. It is tough to beat a team 3 times in a row on your home court. Especially when the teams are equal. So if the under dog loses just 1 game at home then the chance of the series ending in 6 is tremendous.

**LT Profits** · 06-02-10, 10:30 AM

It only favors the East team in the sense that they would have a 3-2 advantage in home games after 5 games. Thus, Boston winning one of the first 2 games in LA would be HUGE, as they would then only need to hold serve at home to win the series without returning to LA.

This will NOT happen though.

If Boston wins one of first two in LA, then Lakers will win at least one in Boston.

**Capybara** · 06-02-10, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by soxwin

It is the only series with a guaranteed eastern half of the country team playing a western half of the country team. Going 1-1-1 for games 5-7 is a travel nightmare for TV covering the event. In the rest of the playoffs no matter who is playing the travel isn't that bad cuz you are staying within one half of the country.

The players don't matter. everything is done for TV. If the players mattered then the series would have started on Monday.

Solid analysis.

**lakerboy** · 06-02-10, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by soxwin

Wouldn't their road record be the same in a 2-2-1-1-1 format?

Yes it would be . My point is that the Celtics get 3 games at home on the trot. With Boston having the best road record in the NBA they should get 1 in La and then have 3 games at home to win 2 against the road weary lakers. I cant see how the Lakers have the advantage in this series based on home court with Bostons road record and LA's road record and Boston getting 3 of the first 5 at home. This doesnt apply every year but in this scenario Boston has a huge advantage in the first 5 games.

**Capybara** · 06-02-10, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by lakerboy

Yes it would be . My point is that the Celtics get 3 games at home on the trot. With Boston having the best road record in the NBA they should get 1 in La and then have 3 games at home to win 2 against the road weary lakers. I cant see how the Lakers have the advantage in this series based on home court with Bostons road record and LA's road record and Boston getting 3 of the first 5 at home. This doesnt apply every year but in this scenario Boston has a huge advantage in the first 5 games.

I see your point, LB, but remember that assuming the C's steal one in LA, as long as LA steals at least one of the next three back in Boston, they get to go home for Games 6 and 7.

But I agree that it blows (even though it might favor my Celtics). 2-2-1-1-1 is a perfect system fairness-wise, it should never be fukked with.

**1UP** · 06-02-10, 11:58 AM

What exactly is the problem here? It's been like this forever, and RARELY does it benefit the lower seed. In recent memory, the Heat and Pistons were the only teams that won with this advantage. Every other team has had no problem defending homecourt the first two games and winning in 5 or 6.

**spongerat** · 06-02-10, 12:20 PM

celtics will win regardlesss

**LT Profits** · 06-02-10, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by 1UP

What exactly is the problem here? It's been like this forever, and RARELY does it benefit the lower seed. In recent memory, the Heat and Pistons were the only teams that won with this advantage. Every other team has had no problem defending homecourt the first two games and winning in 5 or 6.

Actually, only the Pistons benefited as they won Game 5 at home without having to go back to LA, Miami won on the road in Dallas in Game 6, so not sure series would have gone any differently if it was 2-2-1-1-1.

**1UP** · 06-02-10, 01:38 PM

Miami went into Game 6 with a 3-2 lead. Had it been a normal playoff format, Dallas likely would have won Game 5 at home; possibly the series in 6 or 7.

The Finals are always advantageous to the top seed in Games 6 and 7. I don't think any road team has ever came back from 3-2 in the Finals. Only two teams have won all 3 home games in the 2-3-2 format... the Heat and Pistons.

**ijrod21i** · 06-02-10, 01:48 PM

They have to do it this way since it's West vs. East and not just East vs. East or West vs. West. These old folks need their rest!

**mudder** · 06-02-10, 01:49 PM

they started this 2-3-2 when bird/magic played...less traveling back an forth..

**samdapatriotsfan** · 06-02-10, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by W0lfy

Its just too difficult to travel from East to West for 1-1-1 so they have to do 2-3-2.

3000 miles 5+x for both teams, not fun. 3000 miles 2x for 1 team and 3x for the other......... much more manageable.

**nj6** · 06-02-10, 02:52 PM

Would the Celtics be favored IF they had home court advantage?

**Bankroll$10** · 06-02-10, 04:05 PM

i like the 2-3-2 format the best, i think it is the most fair