Citation :
As disappointing as losing Sunday night was for the defending champs, especially after winning Game 1 in blowout fashion, history suggests the Lakers still own the upper hand. Since the NBA adopted the 2-3-2 format for The Finals in 1985, splits have treated the home team well.
On 10 occasions over the last 25 years we've seen the series tied 1-1, with the last being the Pistons-Lakers in 2004. The team that began with the home-court has gone on to win seven. The only three teams to claim the championship after splitting on the road are the Lakers (1985), Bulls (1998) and Pistons (2004).Fit to be tied Results of the last five NBA Finals tied after two games
2003 LAL DET (DET won in 5)
2002 NJN SAS (SAS won in 6)
2000 LAL PHI (LAL won in 5)
1997 CHI UTA (CHI won in 6)
1994 NYK HOU (HOU won in 7)
Oh, that Detroit team happened to beat the Lakers 4-1. Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson remember it well.
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