NBA PM: Some Eastern Conference Players Thriving on the Road

Ask just about any NBA player about splits and the response is likely to be little more than a shrug. But looking at the numbers, there are trends that can be found when you dissect a player’s performance. Some players thrive on back-to-backs. Others are rusty after three or more days of rest. Some perform better in close games where the margin is five points or less, while others struggle.

Today we’ll take a look at some Eastern Conference players that have put forth their best work playing away from their home crowd this season.

Dennis Schroder, Point Guard, Atlanta Hawks
Home:  16.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 43.9% FG
Road: 18.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 48% FG

Schroder has performed admirably after making the transition to full-time starter this season. However, if you drill deeper into his season averages, you’ll notice the fourth-year guard has been a lot more efficient scoring the basketball away from Philips Arena despite nightly minutes holding constant.

Avery Bradley, Shooting Guard, Boston Celtics
Home:  16.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 42.8% FG
Road: 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 51.2% FG

Offensively, Bradley is flirting with being a 20-point scorer outside of Boston. His shooting percentage also significantly rises above 50 percent on the road and his effectiveness at collecting steals increase as well.

Quincy Acy, Power Forward, Brooklyn Nets
Home:  4.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.0 assists, 39.1% FG, 7 GP
Road:  9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 64% FG, 5 GP

Admittedly, Acy’s numbres are based off of a limited sample size. But the differences between the splits are significant and worth keeping an eye on as the season continues – especially for those that play daily fantasy sports.

Marco Belinelli, Shooting Guard, Charlotte Hornets
Home:  10.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 42.7% FG, 30% 3PT
Road: 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 45.3% FG, 47.3% 3PT

Overall, Belinelli’s performance doesn’t appear to differ much on first glance. However, the veteran guard’s marksmanship away from home could be compared to an assassin. But his home shooting from beyond the three-point line leaves a bit to be desired.

Michael Carter-Williams, Point Guard, Chicago Bulls
Home:  6.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 34.1% FG
Road: 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 46.7% FG

Carter-Williams is never going to be known as a prolific scorer but the 2014 Rookie of the Year is producing at a much higher clip away from home this season while also scoring more efficiently from the field. And yes, the minutes at home (21.9) are in line with the road (22.7).

Willie Reed, Center, Miami HEAT
Home:  3.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 50.8% FG, 12.5 minutes
Road: 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 62.7% FG, 17.1 minutes

Reed is often forgotten behind Hassan Whiteside in Miami. However, Reed has shown upside on the road where he has nearly doubled his production in points, rebounds and blocks while also shooting 63 percent from the field.

Brandon Jennings, Point Guard, New York Knicks
Home:  7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 41.4% FG, 22.1 minutes
Road:  10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 37.9% FG, 27.9 minutes

Jennings has put together some of his best work this season away from the comfy confines of Madison Square Garden, though he hasn’t been as efficient. However, from a box score perspective, Jennings has been better scoring, rebounding, assisting and generating steals on the road.

Ersan Ilyasova, Power Forward, Philadelphia 76ers
Home:  14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 46% FG, 38.8% 3PT, 27.4 minutes
Road:  16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 44.5% FG, 36.7% 3PT, 28.3 minutes

The Sixers’ acquisition of Ilyasova from Oklahoma City didn’t generate many headlines at the beginning of the season, but the veteran forward has been an integral part of Philadelphia’s growth. His overall efficiency doesn’t seem to increase on the road, but he is filling up the boxscore.

Dario Saric, Power Forward, Philadelphia 76ers
Home:  8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 36.4% FG, 31.8% 3PT, 22.9 minutes
Road:  11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 38.8% FG, 32.4% 3PT, 25.5 minutes

Traditionally, rookies have performed better in front of their home crowd versus hostile road environments. But Saric has had some of his best nights as a professional outside of Philadelphia, where he shoots the ball marginally better and has a bigger spot in the rotation.