In an ongoing effort to make NBA replay reviews "more efficient and less time-consuming, more in-game reviews are expected to be made this season by the league’s staff at the high-tech replay center in Secaucus, N.J.," according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY. NBA Senior VP/Replay & Referee Operations Joe Borgia said that 72% of reviews last season were "determined by the replay center," and during '16-17, nearly 87% of reviews "will be made from the replay center with the assistance of active referees who are in the center for every game." Borgia said, "It’s pretty obvious from being in the replay center, it can be done quicker with active referees talking to each other in the replay center.” Zillgitt notes by the time an official "gets to the scorer’s table and puts on a headset to talk with officials in Secaucus, he or she will have the answer almost immediately from the replay center." This change is "expected to reduce once again the amount of time it takes to review plays." Last season, the average play reviewed "took 31.9 seconds, down from 42.1 seconds" in '14-15. Eliminating breaks that "impact the flow of the game are important to the league." NBA owners are "expected to approve this measure in October" at their BOG meeting (USA TODAY, 9/29).
