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The NBA is expected to make a major change to its traditional Finals schedule, ending the 2-3-2 format and returning to the 2-2-1-1-1 game rotation used in all other playoff rounds, multiple sources told ESPN.com.
The league's competition committee has voted to recommend the change to the league's board of directors.
"The idea was raised at the competition committee and was well-received and the committee ultimately unanimously voted to recommend the change in format," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Sunday.
The change is expected to be adopted at the next meeting in October and could be implemented for the 2014 Finals, the sources said.
The Boston Herald earlier reported the recommendation on Sunday.
The league has used the 2-3-2 format in the Finals since 1985, when long commercial travel in frequent Finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers had become tedious. All teams now fly their own charters, and the travel is easier.
Proponents of the change have believed the current 2-3-2 format dulls some of the homecourt advantage to the higher seed. The Miami Heat won Games 6 and 7 at home to claim the Finals in June, but they were just the fourth team in 29 years to accomplish that feat.
Also, with the lower seed getting Game 6 on its home floor, it increases the likelihood that a series will go to seven games, which is traditionally in the business interests of the league and its television partners. The NBA Finals are televised by ABC.
The league's competition committee has voted to recommend the change to the league's board of directors.
"The idea was raised at the competition committee and was well-received and the committee ultimately unanimously voted to recommend the change in format," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Sunday.
The change is expected to be adopted at the next meeting in October and could be implemented for the 2014 Finals, the sources said.
The Boston Herald earlier reported the recommendation on Sunday.
The league has used the 2-3-2 format in the Finals since 1985, when long commercial travel in frequent Finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers had become tedious. All teams now fly their own charters, and the travel is easier.
Proponents of the change have believed the current 2-3-2 format dulls some of the homecourt advantage to the higher seed. The Miami Heat won Games 6 and 7 at home to claim the Finals in June, but they were just the fourth team in 29 years to accomplish that feat.
Also, with the lower seed getting Game 6 on its home floor, it increases the likelihood that a series will go to seven games, which is traditionally in the business interests of the league and its television partners. The NBA Finals are televised by ABC.
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