Report: NBA Finals start date won't be moved up
The NBA has determined it is not logistically possible to move up the start date of the upcoming Finals, reports CBSSports.com's Ken Berger.
Berger reported Sunday that the league was beginning to explore the possibility of having the Finals start two days earlier than originally scheduled, though any change would be "complicated and unlikely."
The Finals are scheduled to begin June 4. There could be a long break between the conference finals and the Finals if the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors sweep their series.
If the series goes to seven games, the Eastern Conference finals would conclude on June 1, but the Cavs lead that series 3–0. The Atlanta Hawks face the prospect of mounting a comeback without injured All-Star Kyle Korver and with starting small forward DeMarre Carroll hampered by a knee injury.
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The Warriors have taken a 3–0 lead in their series and can eliminate the Houston Rockets with a win on Monday night.
If both series end in sweeps, there would be an eight-day break before the Finals. "[T]elevision commitments, hotel capacities, international media travel and other considerations" make it difficult to adjust the schedule, according to Berger.
- Dan Gartland
