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Journalist wants Finals 2-3-2 format to return

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Titan Frey | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 12:37 PM ET

The NBA Finals follow the same format as the other rounds, which is a 2-2-1-1-1 format. However, this wasn’t always the case, as it used to follow a 2-3-2 format.

The 2-3-2 format began in 1985 when the league wanted to reduce cross-country travel between the Eastern and Western Conference teams. This allowed players to stay fresher and have fewer drawn-out travel days that make fans wait longer for the next game.

According to journalist Zach Lowe, the old Finals format needs to make a return, to boost excitement around the NBA Finals.

“I am [all] on 2-3-2 needs to come back,” Lowe said. “2-3-2 makes the Finals… I have a lot of arguments for it. I am pro 2-3-2. I love 2-3-2.

“It allows you to have the two days of rest fewer times than happens in 2-2-1-1-1. I’m gonna go through it on a later day. I love 2-3-2.”

Zach Lowe wants the NBA Finals to return to 2-3-2 format, per @ringer

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— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 20, 2025

Lowe went on to defend the format from criticism it has seen in the past.

“The two big arguments against 2-3-2…[John] Hollinger wrote about this 15 years ago,” Lowe said. “There’s an argument that, well, it’s unfair to the top seed because the top seed should always have Game 5 at home.

“And then it’s like, well, it’s unfair to the lower seed because it’s impossible to win three straight games at home. Well, who is it unfair to? The answer is: it’s not really unfair to anybody more or less than the 2-2-1-1-1.”

No NBA Finals format is perfect. Some people love the old way, while others prefer the current format. Still, Lowe makes an excellent point on reducing travel days, allowing for a more fluid Finals, which may give the 2-3-2 format the edge.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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