by Daniel Reinard

Created on: April 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is comprised of thirty teams that are divided into two conferences (Eastern and Western) of fifteen teams each. Those two conferences are divided into three divisions of five teams. Eight out of fifteen teams from each conference make the playoffs. The 2008 NBA playoff schedule is determined by each team's win-loss record during the regular season.

The NBA regular season has eighty-two games for each team. A regulation regular season game is played for forty-eight minutes divided into four 12-minute quarters. If the teams are tied at the end of regulation they then play a five minute overtime (OT) session. The teams will continue to play five minute OT quarters until no tie exists. There are no ties allowed in the NBA regular season or playoffs.

The top eight teams from each conference advance to the playoffs. Seeds 1-4 are determined by three division winners and the best record among second-place teams. The next four seeds 5-8 are determined by record regardless of division. The qualifying teams then compete against each other in a best-of-seven series with home-court advantage belonging to the team with the best record regardless of seeding.

The following tie-breakers are used to determine seeding. If two teams are tied the following system applies: 1) head-to-head games 2) winning percentage in division 3) winning percentage in conference 4) winning percentage against playoff teams (conference) 5) winning percentage against playoff teams (opposing conference) 6) point differential between points scored and allowed. If three or more teams are tied the same rules apply except that the winning percentage in head-to-head games is the first determining factor.

The following playoff format is used for each conference: 1 vs. 8, 4 vs. 5 and 3 vs. 6, and 2 vs. 7 used in bracket style. In a best of- seven series a team needs four wins to advance to the next round. In the NBA the winner of 1 vs. 8 plays the winner of 4 vs. 5 and the winner of 3 vs. 6 plays the winner of 2 vs. 7. The winner from the Eastern Conference bracket then plays the winner from the Western Conference bracket in the NBA Finals. The two teams play to win the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and be crowned NBA Champions.

Learn more about this author, Daniel Reinard.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.