NBA return scheduled with 22 teams and a new format for the playoffs: Report

NBA's board of goverrs is reportedly looking to resume 2019-20 season with 22 teams in Orlando, Florida. As per reports, board of goverrs have a conference call and vote scheduled for Thursday, 12:30 pm EST (10 pm IST). NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA's advisory and finance committee have shared all details of 22-team plan and new format which will be used while playing at Walt Disney World. Plans to resume season at Walt Disney World were being discussed for weeks before being finalised. 

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NBA 22 teams: League to mark NBA return with 22 teams according to NBA conference standings

As per reports, plan to resume season includes 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams. Eight regular-season games will be played along with a possible play-in tournament to decide eighth seed before moving on playoffs. top 16 teams from both conferences will be joined by teams who are withing six games of occupying eighth place in Eastern and Western Conferences.

se teams are – New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Phoneix Suns and Washington Wizards. play-in tournament will have . 8 and . 9 teams. ninth seed will be included if y finish regular season within four games of eighth place. If that happens, . 8 seed will play in a double-elimination tournament and . 9 seed will play a single-elimination tournament. 

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NBA return: How many teams in NBA will t return?

Reports state that teams will start training from July before moving to full training camps in Orlando later in same month. Teams that have been left out of current format are reported to be 'disappointed and concerned' about how se months will affect ir teams financially as well as competitively. Out of eight teams that are left out, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons are talking with league about mandatory summer training camps and some fall leagues that could help m deal with gap. Reports also add that league will raise ir concerns with players' union soon. 

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NBA 22 teams: How will league handle safety protocols for NBA return?

Currently, NBA and National Basketball Players' Association (NBPA) are discussing various safety protocols. Players, coaches and employees living in Orlando will have to follow various safety protocols set up by NBA. Though players will be allowed to golf and eat at restaurants, y will need to follow social distance measures. ESPN, which is owned by Walt Disney Company, reported that everyone will be tested for virus daily withing in a contained environment.

If a player tests positive for COVID-19, league will remove him from environment and quarantine player individually while continuing games. Employees working at Disney will also maintain strict protocols and will t be allowed into players' rooms. Crowding in places will also be monitored constantly. NBA season was suspended on March 11 due to coronavirus pandemic. As per reports, league is aiming for an NBA July 31 return.

NBA July 31 date in discussion for NBA return

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