There’s just something about home-court advantage that turns certain NBA players into scoring machines. This season, guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo and RJ Barrett are putting up monster numbers in their own arenas but aren’t quite delivering the same punch when they hit the road.
Take Giannis, for example. At Fiserv Forum, he’s averaging a whopping 35.9 points per game. But when the Bucks are away, his scoring dips noticeably. Similarly, RJ Barrett is lighting it up in Toronto, dropping 27.7 points per game at home, but his production falls off when playing away. It’s clear that the comfort of home plays a significant role in these players’ performances.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Home Games: 35.9 PPG
Away Games: 28.0 PPG
Giannis Antetokounmpo is an absolute monster at home, averaging a ridiculous 35.9 points per game at Fiserv Forum this season. On the road, though, his numbers dip to 28.0 points per game. While those are still elite stats, the difference is clear—Giannis thrives off the energy of the Milwaukee crowd, and it shows in the way he dominates on his home court.
The Bucks, currently sitting at 12-11 and seventh in the Eastern Conference, have leaned heavily on Giannis’s home-court performances. They’ve been solid at Fiserv Forum with an 8-4 record, but their 4-7 struggles on the road have held them back. In their latest game, Giannis led the charge with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in a win over the Brooklyn Nets, snapping a two-game losing streak. When he’s on, especially at home, the Bucks look like a team that can compete with anyone.
Milwaukee’s season so far has been up and down, starting slow with a 2-8 record before turning things around with a strong November run. Giannis’s ability to dominate at home has been a huge reason for their recovery, but for the Bucks to climb higher in the East, they’ll need him to find that same gear on the road.
Right now, Giannis’s home performances are carrying the Bucks through some rocky stretches, but if they can bring that same energy to away games, they’ll be a much bigger threat in the playoff picture. For now, though, there’s no question—Giannis at home is one of the scariest sights in the league.
RJ Barrett
Home Games: 27.7 PPG
Away Games: 19.4 PPG
RJ Barrett has been straight-up cooking at home this season, averaging 27.7 points per game at Scotiabank Arena. RJ is putting on a show for the Toronto crowd, attacking the rim, knocking down shots, and carrying the Raptors offensively. But as soon as the team hits the road, it’s a different story. His scoring dips to just 19.4 points per game, and his efficiency takes a noticeable hit. It’s like the energy of the home fans gives him a serious boost, and without it, the spark just isn’t the same.
The Raptors are struggling this season, sitting at 7-17 and 12th in the East. They’ve been respectable at home with a 6-4 record, but they’re a complete disaster on the road, going 1-13. It’s not just RJ—this team as a whole can’t seem to figure things out when they’re away from Toronto. Their most recent game, a 125-118 loss to the Mavericks, summed up their season so far. RJ did his thing, putting up solid numbers, but the defense couldn’t handle Luka Doncic, who completely took over the game.
Barrett’s been one of the few bright spots for the Raptors this season, especially at home. But for this team to climb out of the bottom of the standings, he’s gotta find a way to bring that same fire on the road. Right now, RJ at Scotiabank is a problem for defenses—but away from it? Not so much. If Toronto’s going to make any kind of push this season, Barrett needs to figure out how to turn those home-court vibes into all-court consistency.
Brandon Ingram
Home Games: 25.0 PPG
Away Games: 17.9 PPG
Brandon Ingram has been a bucket at home this season, dropping 25.0 points per game at the Smoothie King Center. But when he’s on the road, it’s like the magic fades—his scoring dips all the way down to 17.9 points per game. That’s a pretty big gap for a guy who’s supposed to be the Pelicans’ go-to scorer, and it just adds to the list of problems for a team that’s seriously struggling.
Right now, Ingram is out indefinitely with a low left ankle sprain, an injury he picked up in a game against the Thunder. This is after he already missed time earlier in the season with right plantaris tendinitis. Before getting sidelined, he was averaging a solid 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 18 games. The Pelicans desperately need him back, but injuries have been the story of their season—Zion, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, and Herb Jones have all missed chunks of games, leaving this team in shambles.
The Pelicans are sitting at 5-20, dead last in the West, and things don’t look like they’ll turn around anytime soon. They’re 4-9 at home, but that ugly 1-11 road record shows just how bad it’s been. With all the injuries and a roster that looks out of sync, it feels like the wheels are falling off for New Orleans. Ingram’s absence just adds to the mess.
To make things even spicier, Ingram’s future in New Orleans is up in the air. He’s gonna be a free agent after this season, and contract talks haven’t gone anywhere. On top of that, he recently switched to Klutch Sports, so you know his next move is going to be calculated. There’s even been chatter about trades, but finding a team willing to take on his contract and commit long-term hasn’t been easy. The Pelicans are in a tough spot—they need to decide if Ingram’s part of their future or if it’s time to shake things up.
Jimmy Butler
Home Games: 21.7 PPG
Away Games: 14.0 PPG
Jimmy Butler’s been balling at home, averaging 21.7 points per game this season. But when the Heat hit the road, his numbers drop to just 14.0 points. It’s a huge difference for Miami’s leader, and it’s reflected in the team’s struggles. They’re 12-10 right now, solid at home with an 8-3 record but shaky on the road at 4-7. Jimmy is the heart of this team, but even he hasn’t been able to carry that home-court magic into away games.
Rumors about Butler’s future are already swirling. He’s got a player option for next season, and if things don’t pick up in Miami, there’s talk he could test free agency. Teams around the league like the Mavericks and Rockets are keeping an eye on the situation, especially with the Heat not looking like a legit contender right now. Butler’s window to chase another Finals run isn’t getting any wider, and if the Heat can’t put the right pieces around him, don’t be surprised if he looks for a change.
This season has also been a bit of a grind for Butler. He’s dealt with nagging injuries and hasn’t quite looked like the clutch machine we’re used to seeing in the playoffs. While he’s still putting up respectable numbers, the drop-off in road games is concerning. The Heat need him to bring that same intensity away from Miami, especially if they want to avoid slipping in the Eastern Conference standings.
For now, Butler remains the face of the Heat, but with the trade deadline approaching and Miami hovering in mediocrity, big questions are on the horizon. Will the Heat make a move to strengthen their roster, or could Butler’s future with the team be in doubt? One thing’s for sure—Jimmy doesn’t have time to waste, and all eyes are on what comes next.
Paul George
Home Games: 21.7 PPG
Away Games: 14.1 PPG
The Sixers can’t seem to catch a break this season, and Paul George’s home-road split is just another layer of their struggles. PG’s been solid at the Wells Fargo Center, averaging 21.7 points per game, but on the road, it’s a different story—just 14.1 points per game. That kind of drop-off is tough for a team that’s already battling a million other problems.
The Sixers are sitting at 7-15, near the bottom of the East, and it’s not hard to see why. Injuries have wrecked their roster. Joel Embiid’s knee issues have been a lingering problem, and Tyrese Maxey’s time out hasn’t helped either. On top of that, Nick Nurse’s squad is still trying to figure out their chemistry after bringing in George, who just returned from his own injury setback. It’s been rough all around.
Against the Magic on December 6, George showed flashes of why Philly brought him in. He dropped 21 points and handed out nine assists, helping the Sixers grind out a 102-94 win. But that’s been more of an exception than the rule for a team that’s looked out of sync for most of the season. The defense has been inconsistent, the offense lacks flow, and they’re clearly missing Embiid’s dominance on both ends.
There’s also some tension brewing within the team, as reports of a leaked meeting surfaced not long ago. The pressure is on Nick Nurse to turn things around, but with this roster looking shaky and PG not yet at his peak, it feels like an uphill climb. George’s recent return has added some firepower, but if he can’t find consistency—especially on the road—the Sixers’ season might slip away before it even gets going. They’ve got talent, but the clock’s ticking to pull it all together.
Tyrese Haliburton
Home Games: 21.5 PPG
Away Games: 14.4 PPG
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to be the heart and soul of this Pacers team, especially when they’re playing at home. There, he’s averaging 21.5 points per game, putting on a show for the Indiana crowd. But on the road? Things get a little shaky—his scoring dips to just 14.4 points per game. That kind of drop-off has been a big reason why the Pacers are struggling to find any rhythm this season, and why Haliburton’s season has looked nothing like the player we saw last year as an All-Star talent.
The Pacers are sitting at 10-15, way too close to the bottom of the East for comfort. At home, they’re respectable with a 7-5 record, but their road woes are killing them—they’re just 3-10 away from Indy. A recent win over the Bulls on December 7 snapped a four-game losing streak, and Haliburton was at the center of it. He dropped 23 points and led the team with his playmaking, showing why he’s the guy the Pacers are banking on.
Still, this team has issues. The defense has been inconsistent, giving up way too many easy buckets, and they haven’t quite figured out their identity yet. The front office has been busy, making moves to tweak the roster in recent seasons, but it hasn’t translated to wins for this year after a surprising Conference Finals run. Haliburton can’t do it all, and adding up his current struggles on the floor, it’s going to be tough for Indiana to turn things around.
For the Pacers to climb out of the hole, they need two things: Tyrese to bring that same energy on the road, and the rest of the team to step up, especially on the defensive end. Right now, Haliburton’s doing everything he can, but Indiana’s got a long way to go before they’re back in the playoff picture.
Mikal Bridges
Home Games: 20.3 PPG
Away Games: 13.3 PPG
The Knicks have been holding their own this season, sitting at 14-9 and fourth in the East, but Mikal Bridges has had some clear highs and lows. At Madison Square Garden, Bridges has been cooking, averaging 20.3 points per game. Yet, Bridges keeps struggling to find that same rhythm away, putting up just 13.3 points. That kind of inconsistency hasn’t been a dealbreaker for the Knicks yet, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
Their most recent game, a 120-111 loss to the Pistons, snapped a four-game winning streak. Bridges had 15 points, but the team’s real issue was free-throw shooting—they bricked 11 freebies, going 16-of-27, and that killed their chances. Jalen Brunson did his best, dropping 31 points with 10 assists, but the Knicks’ defense couldn’t handle Detroit’s pace or capitalize on key moments.
Injuries have also thrown a wrench in things. Karl-Anthony Towns was sidelined, forcing the team to rely heavily on guys like Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Bridges. While they’ve held it together, slow starts and lapses in intensity have been a recurring problem. It’s clear this team has the talent to stay competitive, but they’ve got to tighten up if they want to keep pace in a tough Eastern Conference.
For Bridges, the focus moving forward has to be finding that same confidence and efficiency he shows at home when the team is on the road. If the Knicks can fix their early-game struggles and keep getting solid production from their core, they’ll be in good shape. But right now, they’re still figuring out how to put it all together consistently.
Jerami Grant
Home Games: 18.6 PPG
Away Games: 13.5 PPG
Jerami Grant has been the guy holding it down for the Blazers this season, especially at home. When he’s at the Moda Center, he’s putting up 18.6 points per game, showing why he’s one of Portland’s most consistent players. But once they hit the road, his production drops to 13.5 points, and it’s not helping a team that’s already struggling to find any sort of rhythm this season.
The Blazers are sitting at 8-16, buried near the bottom of the Western Conference. They’ve been okay-ish at home with a 5-5 record, but the 3-11 disaster on the road is dragging them down. In their recent blowout loss to the Clippers, Grant managed just 12 points as the team’s defensive issues were on full display. They couldn’t stop anything, and their offense wasn’t enough to make up for it—basically, it was another rough night for the Blazers.
Grant’s job this year is clear: be the steadying veteran presence while the Blazers try to develop young guys like Shaedon Sharpe and rookie Donovan Clingan. He’s doing his part, but the team as a whole is a mess. The defense has been a weak spot all season, and injuries have only made things harder, leaving them searching for some kind of identity.
If the Blazers want to stay competitive—or at least not completely bottom out—they’ll need Grant to keep stepping up, especially on the road. But more than anything, they need their defense to stop being such a liability. It’s a tough ask, but with Grant leading the way, they have at least one dependable piece to lean on as they try to figure things out.
