NBA Playoffs Round 1: Home-Court Advantage Pays Off

The NBA playoffs kicked off with a bang as Day 1 of Round 1 showcased the importance of home-court advantage. Teams like Cleveland, Minnesota, New York, and Denver all secured victories at home, taking 1-0 leads in their conference quarterfinal series. The Cavs defeated Orlando 97-83, Minnesota dominated Phoenix 120-95, the Knicks held off Philadelphia 111-104, and the defending champion Nuggets managed to get past the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103.

As the playoffs continue, four more Game 1s are set to take place on Sunday, featuring matchups like Miami at Boston, Dallas at the Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana at Milwaukee, and New Orleans at Oklahoma City. The action doesn’t stop there, with a packed schedule of games lined up for Monday as well.

According to the BetMGM Sportsbook, Boston currently holds the title of favorite to win the championship, with the Celtics listed at +150. Defending champion Denver follows closely behind at +275, with other contenders like Dallas, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Oklahoma City not far behind.

With standout performances and thrilling matchups already underway, the NBA playoffs are shaping up to be an exciting and competitive affair. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights as the action unfolds.