NBA Return Format Taking Shape

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1920 days ago

Days after Adam Silver announced July 31 as a target date, the full NBA return plan is beginning to take shape. It has been announced that 22 NBA teams will be invited to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando. The 22 teams will participate in eight additional regular season games before the postseason begins. After the extended regular season games end, if the 9^th seed team in each conference is more than 4 games behind the 8^th seed, the 8^th seed will get an automatic playoff bid. If the 9^th seed is within 4 games of the 8^th seed, there will be a play-in series for the final playoff spot. This play-in will be double elimination for the 8^th seed and single elimination for the 9^th seed.

This revised format is an attempt to make things fair for teams that went into the break outside of the playoff race but with a realistic chance at making a playoff push. The inclusion of the six additional teams leaves room for one of the initial top eight to fall out of the playoff race. Teams being invited back are as follows.

Eastern Conference

Playoff Race: Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic

Additional Teams: Washington Wizards

Western Conference

Playoff Race: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies

Additional Teams: Portland Trailblazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns

This revised format is still expected to begin on July 31, meaning that Game 7 of the NBA Finals would be played on October 12 if necessary. There have been talks of permanently adjusting the NBA schedule to begin on Christmas and end later in the summer. This unprecedented time may just force the league’s hand in changing their landscape forever.