When it comes to playoff schedules, the NBA has made some concessions over the last couple seasons, allowing for flexible start dates for the conference semifinals and finals, along with reverting back to a 2-2-1-1-1 format for the NBA Finals. Thanks to the Rockets’ absurd comeback over the Clippers in the semis, the conference finals started at the latest possible date, setting up two glorious weeks of nightly action. Then, the conference finals actually started, and both series promptly went 3-0, putting a damper on what should have been 14 days of great basketball.
The Rockets managed to stave off elimination Monday night, but are still down 3-1 heading back to Oakland for Game 5. The Atlanta Hawks are basically broken, and have to play Game 4 in Cleveland tonight. If they lose and the Warriors win tomorrow, it’s going to be a long time before Game 1 of a Cavs-Warriors finals tips off. June 4th, to be exact — a date set in stone due to the logistical nightmare that is the NBA Finals. Last year, the NBA abolished the 2-3-2 format, but isn’t ready to budge on the start date. This will probably be addressed in off season meetings, but for now, enjoy your (very likely) week-long playoff break.
[CBS, photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images]
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