Context:

NBA teams are finding unexpected success on the road during the second round of the playoffs, with road teams achieving a 7-3 record. The Cleveland Cavaliers, after losing their first two home games, managed a crucial win against the Pacers in Indianapolis, reviving their series hopes. Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman attributes the diminishing home court advantage to the impact of the three-pointer and players' experience in high-pressure environments. The Denver Nuggets also secured a crucial road win against the Thunder, although they faced a significant loss in Game 2. Key players like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled with their shooting in Game 3, but their performance is expected to improve in upcoming games.

Dive Deeper:

• The second round of the NBA playoffs has seen road teams performing exceptionally well, boasting a 7-3 record, which is unusual given the traditional advantage of playing at home.

• The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by star Donovan Mitchell, secured a vital road victory against the Pacers, which was deemed a must-win game to avoid going down 0-3 in the series, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

• David Adelman, interim head coach for the Nuggets, suggests that the increased reliance on three-point shooting and the players' experience in high-pressure environments like AAU tournaments may be diminishing the home court advantage.

• The Denver Nuggets gained an early series advantage by winning Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road, despite suffering a heavy defeat in Game 2.

• Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, both MVP candidates, had a poor shooting performance in Game 3, but they are expected to bounce back in future games, as such performances are uncharacteristic for them.

• Cleveland faced challenges with player injuries, with key players like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley returning from injuries, and uncertainties about their impact in the upcoming games.

• The Pacers need to improve their start and overall effort in the series to counter Donovan Mitchell's scoring prowess and reignite Tyrese Haliburton's performance, who had a minimal impact in Game 3.