NBA Playoffs: Home Court Advantage Plays Major Role in Round Two

82 games.

5 1/2 months.

One purpose. Finish first.

So far through 15 games in the Conference Semifinals, the home team is 14-1. Although the league would like to see this pattern continue all the way to the Finals, there is a possibility it will not. 

Celtics vs. Lakers: can't you just imagine the grin on David Stern's face from ear to ear? Although these teams have proven to be the best in their respective conferences in the regular season, they may not be the best teams in the playoffs. So far, only Detroit can claim that at this point. Who's next?

Teams need to prove that they can win on the road, to go into a hostile environment and execute to perfection. When that crowd is at its peak, the bounce pass must find the hands of a teammate.

When the home team goes on an 8-0 run, the visitors must be able to hold their composure enough to answer back with a run of their own. At this point of the playoffs, if you can't do that, it's time pack it up and strike that pose for the famous "Gone Fishin'" picture.

Out of the remaining eight teams in the playoffs, only three lack the experience to really understand this. Two have home court advantage in their series, and the other has fallen behind in its series and must win twice on the road in order to advance.

Boston may be loaded with All-Stars, but the Celtics are all classified as underachievers. Since 2002, Boston's All-Stars have each advanced past the first round only once each, with the exception of Kevin Garnett who has never advanced past the first round.

The remaining two teams, oddly enough, have never advanced past the first round or even made the playoffs since 2002. Ironically, it was the Charlotte Hornets advancing to the semifinals against the Magic in 2002. New Orleans looks like the one team that has the best chance to advance, but they are still fighting with a proven San Antonio team that has won four championships in the last nine years.

After Sunday's game in San Antonio, the Hornets find themselves in unfamiliar territory. They are in a game that may define their season as either a failure or possibly a turning point of their future. The Spurs have been in this position before and the Hornets have not.

This is the most important game of the season for both teams, but which team will show that they understand that? If New Orleans loses hold of its home court advantage, look for the defending champions to close out at home on Thursday. If you put blood in the water, the sharks will attack.

Detroit seems to be in control of its series and will probably advance on Tuesday at the Palace. They will await the winner of the Boston-Cleveland series, which looks to also go six or seven games, depending on whether LeBron wants to show up. 

If we are lucky enough, we are on the verge of two great conference battles between two proven championship teams, one team full of All-Stars, and this year's MVP.

Home court advantage in the Conference Finals is just a technicality, as the last two rounds of the playoffs come down to who wants it more. In the end, we will see a rematch of the 2005 NBA Finals between the Pistons and Spurs. Maybe this year, America will tune in.