Conference Finals - scheduling

[4cwebb]

Does anyone know why the Eastern Conference Finals start a day after the Western Conference Finals (and not even on a weekend, no less)? It seems strange to me that the Eastern Conference Finals would start later considering that Detroit and Miami were each finished with their respective series prior to Phoenix being done with its series.

 

[loopymitch]

I was wondering the same thing and the only thing I can figure out is that TNT is doing the east and they don't do bball on Sunday afternoon. That still wouldn't explain why the West is the first game but probably with the play offs being longer than they used to be, they're pressed for time. They're sure not getting much time between series and that can only hurt them.

 

[4cwebb]

Ah, that's a good point about TNT --- they only want night games during the week. I'm sure ABC has the exclusive right to broadcast games on the weekend, so that is probably why game 1 of the ECF had to wait until Monday (since Friday would have been too early to start).

Also explains why the WCF is being rushed to start on Sunday --- ABC wants to get the Sunday afternoon ratings.