The first weekend of the 2024 NBA Playoffs is in the books and after seeing one game in each series play out, one thing is clear: home-court advantage is key.
Home teams went 8-0 straight up in the first weekend for the first time since the 2013 playoffs. Those teams were also 7-1 against the spread, which is the best mark in the Bet Labs database. If you add in the NBA Play-In Tournament games, home teams are now 13-1 SU and 11-3 ATS in this postseason.
Home teams went 8-0 straight up and 7-1 against the spread in Game 1s of the NBA Playoffs 🏠 pic.twitter.com/Q33qOXGblz
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) April 22, 2024
The lone team that didn't cover this weekend was the Oklahoma City Thunder, who pulled out a 94-92 win against the New Orleans Pelicans after closing as 9-point favorites at home. That game and the Knicks vs 76ers game were the only two game this weekend in which teams didn't win by double digits. The six double-digit wins this weekend
So how will the success of home teams translate to Game 2? Looking back in Bet Labs at the previous seasons when home teams had success in the opening games, the following games were much more of a toss up. In the 2013 playoffs, five road teams covered the spread. In 2010, home and road teams split Game 2s and in 2005, home teams went 5-3 ATS in the second game.
Best Home ATS Record in Opening Games of NBA Playoffs
| Postseason | Game 1 ATS Record | Game 2 ATS Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7-1 | ? |
| 2013 | 6-2 | 3-5 |
| 2010 | 6-2 | 4-4 |
| 2005 | 6-2 | 5-3 |
