Yahoo Sports · May 27, 2020
Report: NBA could resume with group stage
The more traditional of a season – all 30 teams playing 82 games, four rounds of best-of-seven series – the league completes, the more more money it will make.
The more teams involved in a resumed season, the higher risk of coronavirus spreading throughout the league.
That’s why the NBA is considering a middle ground – resuming without teams far outside playoff position.
But how would the league structure a format for 20 teams?
Maybe a group stage to replace the first round of the playoffs.