WHATS THE SECOND BIGGEST SUBPLOT TO THE 2010 NBA FINALS?
The 2-3-2 Finals format. And, as a corollary, Game 1. There are a lot of differences between this year’s finals and the Lakers-Celtics series in 2008, but none more important than the Lakers’ home court advantage. It means they get two games at home, go to Boston for three straight, and then finish with Games 6 and 7 at home. Every year, that weird format seems like a mere formality, but it completely alters the tone of a series. Suddenly, if the Lakers hold serve at home, the Celtics basically have to win three straight games at home to have any chance at winning the series. Since 1985, that’s only happened twice: in 2004 with the Pistons and L.A.’s complete implosion, and in 2006 with the Miami Heat and Dwyane Wade’s 1,600 trips to the free throw line. Nothing’s impossible, but statistically, there’s an 8% chance the Celtics win three straight. So, basically, if they want to keep things competitive through the end of the series, Boston has to win one of the first two games in Los Ang
