Is the First Round of the NBA Playoffs 5 Games?

The first round of the NBA playoffs is typically four games, but this year it’s five. So is the first round of the NBA playoffs five games?

The NBA’s playoff format has changed over time

The National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs are a best-of-seven elimination tournament annually held after the NBA’s regular season to determine the league’s champion. Theoretically, any round of the playoff tournament could be a best-of-five series; however, currently, only the first round is a best-of-five series while all other rounds are best-of-seven series.

The NBA playoff format has changed over time. In 1947, the NBA playoffs were created as a four team tournament. Three years later, the playoffs were expanded to eight teams. Then, in 1949, the NBA finals became a best-of-seven series. From 1950 until 1953, the NBA playoffs included only eight teams, four from each division. In 1954, the NBA enlarged its playoffs to ten teams by adding an additional team from each division; as a result of this change, the NBA finals became a best-of-nine series. From 1955 until 1966 no changes were made to either the number of teams in the playoffs or how those teams were determined.

In 1967, when the NBA increased its regular season to 82 games per team, it also increased the number of teams in its playoffs to 12 by expanding each conference’s playoff field to include two wild card teams; as a result of this change, both Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals became best-of-seven series while the NBA finals continued to be a best-of-nine series. This format remained unchanged through1984 . In 1985 , when the NBA dropped its split season and instituted a single 82 – game regular season , it expanded its playoffs from 12 teams to 16 teams . The first round of this new 16 – team bracket was still a best – of – five series while all other rounds continued to be best – of – seven ; however , unlike before , there were now four rounds rather than three .

The current playoff format was introduced in 2004 . When further changes were made to increase clinching incentives during this same period , it resulted in some minor tweaks being made to how many games each round was . For instance , during 2006 and 2007 seasons , when one team had already clinched a spot in the playoffs while another was still vying for that spot on the last day of the regular season , that day’s game would be considered part of “playoff” and thus be played under playoff rules (i.e., extended halves). As such, during these years all first – round games were played as best – of – sevens regardless of seedings ; Conference Semifinals reverted back to being best – of – sevens in 2008 .

The first round of the playoffs is now best-of-seven

The first round of the NBA playoffs is a best-of-seven series. The team that wins four games advances to the next round, while the losing team is eliminated from the playoffs.

The format of the first round has changed several times throughout NBA history. For much of the league’s early history, the first round was a best-of-five series. The format was changed to best-of-seven in 1985, and it has remained that way ever since.

There have been some calls to change the format back to best-of-five, as it would cut down on the number of games and make the playoffs less strenuous for players. However, no such changes have been made, and it seems likely that the first round will remain a best-of-seven series for the foreseeable future.

The NBA Finals are also best-of-seven

The NBA Finals are also best-of-seven.

There is no set number of games for the other rounds of the playoffs

The NBA Finals is a best-of-seven series. The first two games are played at the home of the team with the better regular-season record, and the next three games are played at the home of the other team. If necessary, games six and seven are played back at the first team’s home.

The other rounds of the playoffs are not played to a set number of games. Instead, each series is a best-of-seven series, meaning that the first team to win four games advances to the next round.

The number of games in the first round of the playoffs has varied over time

The number of games in the first round of the playoffs has varied over time, but since 1984, it has been a best-of-seven series. Before that, it was a best-of-five series. The NBA Finals are always a best-of-seven series.