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April 13, 1998

Surprise!

The Mavs Have Home Court Advantage

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ARENA (HOME TEAM)

VISITORS' FT PCT.*

VISITORS' FT PCT.

1. Reunion Arena (Mavericks)

.698

.455

2. Market Square Arena (Pacers)

.702

.423

3. SkyDome (Raptors)

.703

.474

4. Charlotte Coliseum (Hornets)

.716

.454

5. L.A. Memorial Sports Arena (Clippers)

.719

.471

(tie) Great Western Forum (Lakers)

.719

.431

7. United Center ( Bulls)

.721

.419

(tie) Rose Garden (Trail Blazers)

.721

.422

9. Key Arena ( SuperSonics)

.725

.439

10. Compaq Center (Rockets)

.726

.461

11. America West Arena (Suns)

.727

.447

(tie) CoreStates Center ( 76ers)

.727

.433

13. ARCO Arena ( Kings)

.731

.430

14. The New Arena in Oakland ( Warriors)

.732

.436

15. Alamodome (Spurs)

.735

.400

16. Georgia Dome (Hawks)

.737

.434

17. Orlando Arena (Magic)

.738

.447

18. Bradley Center ( Bucks)

.740

.450

(tie) The Palace of Auburn Hills (Pistons)

.740

.442

20. Target Center (Timberwolves)

.745

.434

21. FleetCenter ( Celtics)

.746

.468

22. McNichols Sports Arena (Nuggets)

.748

.474

23. Continental Airlines Arena (Nets)

.751

.468

24. Miami Arena (Heat)

.753

.422

25. MCI Center (Wizards)

.756

.456

26. Gund Arena (Cavaliers)

.758

.437

27. Madison Square Garden ( Knicks)

.760

.433

28. General Motors Place (Grizzlies)

.761

.464

29. Delta Center (Jazz)

.775

.425

*All stats through Saturday

SOURCE: ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU

How hard is it for visiting teams to make free throws in the various NBA arenas? The foulest venues seem to be Reunion Arena ("They don't have a lot of bounce to their rims there," says Heat forward Terry Mills. "Either it's straight in or it's out"), Market Square Arena ("It's a tough crowd," says Heat guard Tim Hardaway) and SkyDome ("The rims are never even," says Trail Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire). Madison Square Garden, on the other hand, gets raves from most players. "When you get a chance to play in the Garden," says Clippers guard Darrick Martin, "you just always want to do well, so your focus is at its peak." Here are all 29 primary venues, ranked from hardest to easiest for visiting shooters.

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

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