Detroit gets into playoff double play

0 Comments | USA TODAY, May, 2008 | by Michael Hiestand

Despite the many inevitable scheduling uncertainties in the NBA and NHL playoffs, game-time slots are picked weeks or months in advance, partly to take into account arena availability.

The quirky result: Detroit's NBA Pistons and NHL Red Wings will both be playing at home in primetime Saturday and Monday. If the Pistons-Boston Celtics go to a fifth game, both Detroit teams will be in primetime again on Wednesday.

Obviously, leagues don't know what teams will be playing when time slots are scheduled. For all the conspiracy theories, there's evidence playoffs aren't rigged to produce maximum TV appeal. Last year, the San Antonio Spurs sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers produced the lowest rating ever for the NBA Finals, and Game 3 of the Anaheim Ducks-Ottawa...