What are the key differences between rules in Olympic Basketball and the NBA?

#2 Olympics have no goaltending and jump ball

DeMarcus Cousins grabs a rebound for Team USA [Source: FOX Sports]

There is almost no goaltending in the Olympics and once the shot hits the rim, it's anyone's game. The offensive player can go up for a putback even if the ball is still on the rim while the defensive player can snatch the ball for a rebound. No offensive interference means taller players can easily go for putback dunks while the ball is still over the basket.

Moreover, there is no concept of a jump ball in the Olympics. The only jump ball is the one at tip-off and after that, any simultaneous-possession situation is decided by alternating possessions. If there is a held ball or if the ball goes out of bounds with both players' hands on it, the possession arrow will let the team know who gets the ball. This could be a slight disadvantage for tall NBA centers who would earn possession every time there would be a jump ball.

#3 Fouls and Violations

USA v Nigeria [Source: Arizona Sports]

The Olympics eject players after five fouls instead of six in the NBA and the opposition enters the foul penalty/bonus after just four team fouls. The free-throws begin at the fifth foul, instead of six in the NBA. Moreover, technical fouls and offensive fouls also count towards team fouls and the penalty whereas that isn't the case in the NBA.

The travel rules are a little absurd in the NBA as well. A travel violation can be called on a player if he takes two steps after catching the ball before taking a dribble, which is allowed in the NBA. The pivot foot is the one the player steps forward after catching the ball in the Olympics whereas the NBA recognizes the back foot as the pivot foot, which allows freedom of movement.

Another violation different in the Olympics is the three-second violation. There is no concept of it in the Olympics as they do in the NBA. In the NBA, the players cannot camp out in the paint for the whole possession and need to clear the lane every three seconds. However, in the Olympics, there is no one stopping a player from staying under the rim the entire time.