Wizards Have Edge In Game 6
The second-round series between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards in the 2017 NBA Playoffs has been characterized by one thing: home-court dominance. The away team has been largely uncompetitive in almost every contest, and the location of Game 6 might be the biggest factor when making a prediction for Friday night.
Staring in the face of elimination, the Wizards return home down 3-2 in the series. After getting blown out in Game 5, Washington is back to being a 5.5-point favorite in Game 6, via OddsShark. The betting line reflects how John Wall and Co. have played in Washington compared to Boston, and the difference is stark.
After losing the first two games of the series in Boston, the Wizards cruised to victories in Washington in both Game 3 and Game 4. The Celtics were defeated by at least 19 points in the each of the two losses, highlighted by a 26-0 run Sunday night. When Boston got back to TD Garden Wednesday night, it was as if the previous two games never happened, and Game 5 was essentially over with their 16-0 run in the first quarter.
“I’ve never seen runs like that before,” Isaiah Thomas told reporters after an embarrassing Game 4 loss. “All they did was take care of their business at home just like we did.”
Washington Wizards guard John Wall shoots against Boston Celtics center Al Horford during the second quarter in Game 5 of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston on May 10, 2017. Photo: Reuters/David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The incredible home-court advantage that’s taken place this series is difficult to explain, especially given that road teams in the NBA are having more success than ever before. The Utah Jazz handily defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 of their first-round series in L.A. ESPN even did an entire story in the regular season, explaining why playing at home no longer provides the edge that it once did.
The Celtics were certainly much at home in the regular season, going 30-11 in Boston compared to a 23-18 record on the road. The Wizards appeared to rely on home-court advantage more than almost any other NBA team, suffering 11 more losses on the road.
As well as Boston played in Game 5, it’s going to be hard for them to have a repeat performance and close out the series in Game 6. Avery Bradley scored a playoff career-high 25 points in the first half after totaling just 12 points in consecutive games on the road. Isaiah Thomas failed to score 20 points for a third straight game, and he’ll need to put up points in order for the Celtics to keep pace on the road.
The home team in each game this series has scored points with ease, averaging 122.4 points per contest. Four of the five games have surpassed the Game 6 over/under of 216.5, and Friday night’s contest should be another high-scoring affair.
Wall is the best player in the series, and he had his worst performance against Boston in Game 5 with 21 points and four assists on seven-of-17 shooting. Look for him to bounce back and put up big numbers, forcing a deciding Game 7.
Prediction: Washington over Boston, 120-104
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