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European basketball has leaped in quality in recent years, approaching the American level in recent years. It means more competitiveness between the teams in international competitions (World Cup and Olympic Games). The American team has to bring their stars to win, which they used to do with lesser quality players.

Watching the NBA and FIBA, you might find contradictory or confusing situations, but it’s normal. There are differences even in the NBA odds and European basketball match odds. With that said, we will share with you the significant differences between American Basketball and European Basketball.

Significant Differences Between European and American Basketball

These are differences between the FIBA ​​and NBA basketball:

Game Time

In FIBA, ​​it’s four quarters of 10 minutes, while it’s four quarters of 12 minutes in the NBA.

Stopping Time After The Basket

In FIBA​​, time is stopped in the last 2 minutes of each quarter and any additional time. While in the NBA, it’s stopped in the last minute of the first three quarters, in the last 2 minutes of the last fourth, and an additional time.

3-point Line

In FIBA, ​​it is an arc located 6.25m from the basket, while in the NBA, it’s located at 7.24m that intersects with two lines parallel to the baseline located 6.7m in its nearest point direction.

Time-outs

In FIBA, ​​there are two time-outs in the first half of the game, 3 in the second half, and 1 for each extra time, but the technical director must request these. In the NBA, there are seven time-outs per game and a time of 1 minute, 15 seconds per half.

Time-outs are requested from the referee by a player on the court when his team controls the ball or when there is a stoppage in the match.

Elimination Due To Fouls

Players leave the game by accumulating five personal fouls or two technical fouls in FIBA. Technical fouls count against the total personal fouls.

While in the NBA, players get eliminated after accumulating six personal fouls or two technical fouls. Technical fouls are not considered personal fouls.

Technical Fouls

In FIBA, ​​there are two free throws and possession in the center of the field for the opposing team to the one that incurred the foul. There will be no possession if the foul occurs before the start of the game because every game must start with jump balls.

In the NBA, it is one free throw for each technical foul, and the game resumes from the same point where the interruption occurred. The individual who incurred the technique is penalized with an automatic fine.

Illegal Block

In FIBA, once the ball touches the rim, any defensive or offensive player can touch it and try to redirect it, as long as their hands do not go below the basket.

There is an imaginary cylinder in the NBA with the hoop as its base. While the ball is on that imaginary cylinder, no player can make contact with it.

Defensive Zone

In FIBA, ​​there is no such rule, whereas, in NBA, a defensive player cannot stay in the key area for more than three seconds if that player is not actively guarding an opponent. The penalty for this violation is a technical foul.

Free Throw Violation

In FIBA​​, players lined up on either side of the basket can enter once the shooter is off the ball. The shooter and the rest of the players must wait for the ball to hit the ring. Only a violation committed by the shooter can invalidate a basket made. Violations by other players are ignored if the shot goes in.

In the NBA, the violation can occur by the shooter’s teammate for entering the rebound early or leaving a set position before the shot. Once the ball is at the player’s disposal, the shooter can invalidate a free throw made.

Stepping

Although the rules are the same for FIBA ​​and the NBA, NBA officials are much more liberal. The NBA allows an additional step before the player puts the ball down to initiate a drive to the rim or end of a drive. FIBA referees are constantly looking at the feet of the offensive player and very rarely allow that extra step.