Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
The NBA regular season would run through April 26 and require teams to play at least one set of back-to-back-to-back games if a new labor deal is ratified in time to start on Christmas.
The league posted an outline of what the schedule would look like on its Twitter pages Sunday. The plan is a 66-game regular season, ending about 10 days later than usual. The last possible day of the NBA finals would be June 26, two weeks later than the championship series ended last season.
Teams would play 48 games within their conference and 18 nonconference games. Teams will not visit every NBA city.
Teams will play about two more games per month, but no team would play on three straight nights more than three times.
Back-to-backs might also be played during the second round of the postseason.
Owners and union officials reached agreement to end the 149-day lockout on Saturday following a marathon bargaining session. Players must still approve the deal, and once they do, training camps and free agency will open simultaneously on Dec. 9.
With the lockout likely over, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and other stars canceled their “Homecoming Tour” on Sunday.
The four-city tour was supposed to open in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio, on Dec. 1, but that game and three others have been scrapped now that the league and its players have a tentative labor agreement.
“We are thrilled that a tentative agreement has been reached and are looking forward to getting back to work and playing basketball,” Wade said in a statement. “We all want to reconnect with our teams to make sure we hit the ground running when training camps are expected to open on December 9. Our commitment to helping children and the communities doesn’t stop, and the daily work of our foundations to do just this will continue, as always.”
James and Wade, along with good friends Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony had games scheduled in Akron, New Orleans, Chicago and East Rutherford, N.J. Proceeds from the tour were to benefit the four headlining players’ charitable foundations. The four superstars still plan to hold a charity event on Tuesday in New York.
Organizers for the canceled tour said tickets will be fully refunded at the point of purchase.
–ESPN
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From NBA.com:
Regular Season Start Date:Â December 25, 2011
Regular Season End Date:Â April 26, 2012
Playoffs Start Date:Â April 28, 2012
Last Possible Finals Date:Â June 26, 2012
Conference Games:Â 48
• Play 6 teams 4 times (2 home, 2 away)
• Play 4 teams 3 times (2 home, 1 away)
• Play 4 teams 3 times (1 home, 2 away)
Non-Conference Games:Â 18
• Play 3 teams 2 times (1 home, 1 away)
• Play 6 teams 1 time at home
• Play 6 teams 1 time away
Back to Back to Backs:Â All teams with at least 1; no more than 3
Playoff Back to Backs:Â Possible in second round
