The Cavaliers faced a significant uphill battle in the Eastern Conference Finals after falling behind 2-0, and the Rockets looked to be on life support in the Western Conference Finals after being blown out in Golden State in Game 3. However, after Houston’s dramatic win on Tuesday night, both series are all tied at two games apiece, guaranteeing we’ll get a couple Game Sixes, and perhaps even a Game Seven or two.
With both Conference Finals having essentially become best-of-three series, the next several days should be fascinating. Coming into the third round, a Warriors/Cavaliers rematch in the Finals was widely expected, and oddsmakers are still forecasting that outcome. Sports betting site Bovada.lv currently lists both Golden State and Cleveland as 2-to-1 favorites.
Still, despite being favored, neither the Warriors nor the Cavs has home court advantage, which could be an important factor. Historically, in best-of-seven series that are tied after four games, the team with the home court edge wins 80% of the time, per Dan Feldman of NBC Sports (Twitter link).
The Rockets and Celtics have been particularly effective at home this year. No team posted a better regular-season home record than Houston’s 34-7 mark, and the Rockets are 6-2 in the postseason at the Toyota Center. As for the Celtics, they’ve yet to lose in Boston during the playoffs, reeling off nine straight home wins.
What do you think? Will either the Rockets or Celtics prevent a fourth straight Warriors/Cavaliers showdown in the 2018 NBA Finals? Which two teams do you expect to continue playing into June?
Vote in our poll, then jump into the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts on the Conference Finals!
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Lebron James will be crowned champion once again this season.
Assuming the Celts get eliminated I’m rooting for this or Rockets as champs.
Unless there is a major injury to the cavs, they’ll be in for a fourth straight. Not sure about the Rockets/Warriors even though the Warriors are the underdog. If I had to choose I’d say the Rockets simply b/c the Warriors best defender in that match up is out.
Watching game 3 we can all see just how important Andre Iguodala is to the success of the Warriors. I submit that they don’t win the two championships without him.
Andre should be back for every game the rest of the way.
I would like to have a second poll that is not what will be but want we want it to be.
correction…but what we want it to be.
…that’s how I voted…