NBA Changes Schedule In Hopes Of Reducing Players Resting During National TV Matchups

The NBA has "taken the most aggressive measures to date to build rest into its schedule," according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. After many "high-profile players didn't play in major matchups last season, the new schedule protects key national television matchups to make sure teams aren't playing on back-to-back nights." Much of this is "made possible by extending the season by one week." For the first time, the NBPA is a "part of the scheduling process to review possible problem areas." The schedule changes eliminate "stretches of four games in five days and 18 games in 30 days." Also reduced are "five games in seven nights to just 40 instances." Last year it was "on the schedule 90 times." Meanwhile, 40 back-to-backs have been "eliminated from last season." The schedule is "expected to be finalized this week and portions are expected to be announced soon" (ESPN.com, 8/8).