Fansided

5 takeaways from LeBron’s eighth-straight Eastern Conference Finals win

By Jeremy Lambert

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Homecourt matters

Do you know why there are 82 regular season NBA games? It’s because the league wants to make a lot of money or because your team wants to potentially give you 82 heart attacks. It’s so one team can secure home court advantage over another team. Could this be decided in 81 games? Yeah, probably. It’s been decided in 50 games before. Rumor has it the league will make the regular season 90 games next season just to see if LeBron actually rests.

In the 82 regular season games, the Boston Celtics finished with more victories than the Cleveland Cavaliers. This gave Boston home court advantage in the playoffs. It’s a big reason why the Celtics found themselves in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. If the Milwaukee Bucks had home court in the first round, maybe they would have been facing the Cavaliers in Game 7. Probably not.

The Celtics were outstanding in Boston, blowing teams out and making it look easy. And they were a completely different team on the road. The same goes for the Cavaliers. Nearly every Cleveland role player disappeared in Boston until a couple of guys (Jeff Green) stepped up in Game 7. Yes, the Cavaliers won Game 7 on the road. It was the first defeat Boston suffered at home all postseason. That’s how good they were at home.

82 regular season games are played so one team has home court advantage in a potential Game 7. It matters.

Well, mostly.

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