"We don't need home court advantage to win #18"

[the TRUTH]

I hear this argument frequently on this site. When it comes down to it, I agree that we can certainly win the title without HCA. And I'd much rather be healthy for the Playoffs, but slip a little bit in the standings, than have HCA and be broken down.

That being said, I still think HCA is huge, and would be a significant benefit to us. We can beat anyone, anywhere. But what HCA does is enables us to close series out faster. For example, if you have HCA in a series, and win your first two home games, then split on the road, you're up 3-1. At that point, you can close it out at home. If you don't have HCA, and split the first two on the road, and then win both at home, you're still up 3-1. But now you have to try to close the series out on the road. This is much tougher to do, so you're more likely to have to close it out at home in Game 6.

With an older, severely injury-prone team like ours, every game matters. For instance, if we'd been able to close out Miami in 4 last year, or Orlando in 4 or 5, we might have had just enough left in the tank (despite the Perk injury and the "David Stern Special" officiating in Game 7) to finish off the Lakers.

Also, in any series against a great opponent, there's a good chance you'll lose a game at home. If you have HCA, you can lose a game at home, then regain HCA by winning a game on the other team's court. If you don't have HCA (like us against LA last year), it is much tougher to overcome a loss at home, because you have to win two games on the other team's court.

[CelticG1]

I think homecourt is pretty big this year. Last year we conceded homecourt pretty early on so it made more sense to rest as much as possible and get as healthy as possible since we weren't going to be able to catch up to the top couple seeds anyway.

This year we should get it and I think we should push to get it as well. Obviously not do anything crazy but they need to stay focused these last 20 games or whatever.

[Donoghus]

It's a very nice thing to have and its certainly within reach.

I agree that this team is good enough to win it without HCA but I'm not really tempted to test that theory and it certainly creates an unwanted burden.

[Marcus13]

As long as we have it over the Lakers, I don't think it'll make much difference against Miami/Chicago/Orlando

[Celtics4ever]

I don't think we need it against anyone if we are healthy.

[the TRUTH]

In terms of advancing to the next round, we don't NEED it against anyone, although it'd certainly come in handy. But in terms of minimizing games played, and maximizing our health, I do think it's very important.

[barefacedmonk]

I want every "advantage" that we can get....and playing in front of the home crowd is a big one.

[Drucci]

I want every "advantage" that we can get....and playing in front of the home crowd is a big one.

Exactly. With that said, the Finals reminded us bitterly last year that even if you steal HCA (like we did in game 2) you can lose it in one game (game 3 :/) so we shouldn't count only on it as a guarantee of victory but considering how good we have looked this year at home it would be a big advantage, especially against a young team like Chicago who is almost unbeatable at home and not so good on the road.

[RMO]

I think it's much more important (in general) to have it in the finals with the 2-3-2 format.  Teams that are good enough to get to the finals don't often lose three games in a row.

[CeltsAcumen]

I disagree, home court means a lot in Basketball and Baseball.

[KG_ended_Bias]

Homecourt can give or road warriors a 1 & 1/2 game advantage in every series. Because we tough at home and play stronger on the road.