HISTORY LESSON below from J.A. Adande of espn.com
I consider the Stage Fright Factor to be worth one game. Here's what has happened in Game 1 the past 11 times a batch of Finals newcomers faced a group that had been there before:
2007: Cavaliers lost to Spurs
2002: Nets lost to Spurs
2001: 76ers beat Lakers
1997: Jazz lost to Bulls
1996: Sonics lost to Bulls
1995: Magic lost to Rockets
1993: Suns lost to Bulls
1991: Bulls lost to Lakers
1990: Trail Blazers lost to Pistons
1988: Pistons beat Lakers
1986: Rockets lost to Celtics
That's a 2-9 record for the newcomers. (Roll the Nick Anderson free-throw clip.)
And we know another big Game 1 stat: Lakers coach Phil Jackson is 43-0 when his team wins the first game of a series.
i personally find it interesting both times in this tidbit of stats that a newcomer beat a veteran finals team....both were against the LAKERS. but mind you la beat Philly in 01.
Nice info