NBA could change Finals format

The NBA Finals could return to a 2-2-1-1-1 format.

The league's Competition Committee voted unanimously to recommend the change from the current 2-3-2 system and owners will vote on it next month at their meetings.

"The idea was raised at the Competition Committee and was well-received and the committee ultimately unanimously voted to recommend the change in format," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Sunday.

If approved, it hasn't been decided if the change would begin with the 2014 finals.

The Competition Committee's vote was first reported by the Boston Herald.

The format was switched beginning in 1985, a recommendation Commissioner David Stern has said came in part from former Celtics boss Red Auerbach to reduce the cross-country trips between Boston and Los Angeles.

Critics argue it gives home-court advantage to the lower-seeded team in Game 5, which is often a pivotal game in a best-of-seven series.

Last season, the Miami Heat became just the fourth team to rally from 3-2 down by winning the final two on their home floor.

All other rounds in the NBA playoffs use the 2-2-1-1-1 format.