In this lockout-truncated NBA season, the schedule has become more treacherous than ever. As the Los Angeles Lakers are finding out, road victories are perhaps the most precious commodity in basketball this season. The Lakers' 98-87 loss in South Florida to the Miami Heat on Thursday night dropped the Lakers to a paltry 1-5 on the road this season.
The Lakers have been two different teams this year. They are 9-1 at home, with their only loss a giveaway on Christmas Day to the Chicago Bulls when the Lakers blew a big lead in the final minute. The Lakers' only win on the road came in overtime against the Utah Jazz.
| 2011-2012 Lakers | ||||
| Split | FG% | 3-pt FG% | Opp FG% | Opp 3-pt FG% |
| Home | 47.1% | 27.4% | 39.5% | 28.0% |
| Road | 43.0% | 22.0% | 43.7% | 37.6% |
With a more packed schedule this season in the NBA, home teams have better records than ever leaguewide.
| NBA Home Records | |||
| Season | Wins | Losses | Win% |
| 2011-2012 | 138 | 77 | .642 |
| 2010-2011 | 743 | 487 | .604 |
| 2009-2010 | 731 | 499 | .594 |
| 2008-2009 | 748 | 482 | .608 |
The Lakers get yet another crack at a road win on Friday night in Orlando against Dwight Howard and the Magic. Orlando is 5-2 at home this season.
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