NBA Playoffs 2024: Home Teams Dominate First Round with Record-Breaking Wins

The 2024 NBA playoffs first round saw a historic performance by home teams, as they went undefeated in Game 1 matchups for the first time since 2013. All eight home teams emerged victorious in their opening games, with an average margin of 13.25 points. "This level of dominance by the home teams is surprising, given the lack of blind faith in the higher seeds," noted basketball analyst Jalen Rose.

The opening weekend featured several blowout victories, including impressive wins by the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Cleveland Cavaliers. The only close contest was the Oklahoma City Thunder's narrow 94-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Damian Lillard had a standout performance for the Bucks, scoring a franchise-record 35 points in the first half of their win over the Pacers. This matched the third-highest scoring opening half in NBA playoff history. James Harden also shined for the Clippers, recording 28 points and 8 assists in their victory over the Mavericks.

The Celtics, the favorites to win the championship according to BetMGM Sportsbook, showcased their offensive and defensive prowess in a dominant 34-point win over the Heat. MVP finalists Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić also delivered strong performances for their respective teams.

Why this matters: The record-breaking home team wins in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs challenge the recent trend of declining home-court advantage during the regular season. This unexpected dominance by higher seeds sets the stage for an exciting and potentially unpredictable postseason.

Notable absences due to injuries included Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Zion Williamson. Despite missing these star players, the Bucks and Clippers managed to secure convincing victories. As the playoffs continue with Game 2 matchups, it remains to be seen if the home teams can maintain their momentum. "The playoffs will resume on Monday with Game 2s, though the trend of home team dominance is unlikely to continue based on historical data," said ESPN analyst Zach Lowe.

Key Takeaways

• All 8 home teams won Game 1 of 2024 NBA playoffs, a first since 2013.
• Home teams won by an average margin of 13.25 points, with several blowouts.
• Damian Lillard and James Harden had standout performances for their teams.
• Celtics, Bucks, Clippers, and other top seeds won convincingly despite key injuries.
• Analysts expect home team dominance to decline in future playoff games.