How are FIBA rules different from NBA rules?

There was a time when Luka Doncic admitted that scoring in the NBA was easier compared to FIBA. He pointed out that the NBA had a different set of rules that benefitted players with more opportunities to score points.

Doncic explained that FIBA has a more time-restricted setup and revolves around ball rotation rather than isolation plays. Having said that, it makes one wonder exactly how the NBA and FIBA rules differ from each one.

Here's the full breakdown:

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FIBA vs NBA

Jordan Clarkson

While each FIBA tournament lasts for 10 minutes, an NBA quarter lasts 12 minutes and the length of overtime in both basketball leagues lasts 5 minutes. In the NBA, each team has 7 timeouts throughout regulation. No team may use more than four timeouts in the fourth quarter, and after three minutes in the fourth quarter, no team may use more than two timeouts.

The timeout regulations in FIBA basketball are a bit simpler. In the first half, each team is allowed two timeouts, with another three timeouts in the second half. When there are two minutes or less left in the fourth quarter, each team is only allowed two timeouts.

Looking into overtime, both leagues practice different rules as well. In the NBA, each team is allowed only two timeouts. while FIBA, is only allotted one. NBA is more lenient when it comes to calling timeouts in OT. Both the head coach and players have the power to call a timeout, unlike in FIBA, where only the head coach is allowed to call for the whistle.

While FIBA only allows five personal fouls, the NBA has a six-foul cap per player. Both rule systems include technical fouls which do count towards the team foul cap in FIBA, but they are not considered personal fouls in the NBA.

Golden State Warriors v Oklahoma City Thunder

In FIBA, there are no flagrant fouls. Unsportsmanlike fouls are defined in the regulation as an alternative. They are typically considered Flagrant 1 fouls and are assessed for severe contact.

Similar to Flagrant 2 fouls in the NBA, there is a severe foul limit that throws players out of the game in FIBA. A player is disqualified from the game if they receive two technical fouls, two unsportsmanlike fouls, or one technical and one unsportsmanlike foul.

Goaltending is defined in both rulebooks as stopping an opponent's shot after it has struck the backboard. The NBA, however, prohibits players from touching the ball while it is above the ring and inside the imaginary cylinder.

In FIBA, even if the ball is moving down towards the goal and is inside the cylinder of the ring, players are still permitted to touch the ball after it reaches the hoop.

Players are free to linger in the paint for as long as they like in the NBA since there are both defensive and offensive three-second regulations, whereas in FIBA, there is only an offensive three-second violation.

In FIBA competitions, the coach's challenge does exist. Although fouls can be reviewed to determine whether they were unsportsmanlike, personal, or disqualifying, they cannot be reversed. In comparison to the NBA, FIBA officials also spend less time analyzing plays. However, as of late, NBA refs have been acting like FIBA officials and not caring about the replays.

Both in FIBA and the NBA, the game starts with a jump ball. However, according to FIBA regulations, players are not required to jump for the ball in order to gain control during the next jump ball situation. Instead, the alternate possession rule will be used to provide the team with possession.

The opposing team will control the following jump ball if one of the teams has the ball to begin the game. The next quarter will be started by the aforementioned team, and the alternating possession arrow will switch sides if no such situation arises during the quarter.