Basketball Rules Comparison between FIBA and NBA
This page contains a general comparison between FIBA and NBA basketball rules.
This page contains a general comparison between FIBA and NBA basketball rules.
| RULE | FIBA | NBA |
| Periods | Four | Four |
| Duration of Periods | 10 minutes | 12 minutes |
| Overtime Duration | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Rest Time Between 1st / 2nd and 3rd / 4th Periods | 2 minutes | 2 minutes, 10 seconds |
| Length of Halftime | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Court Length | 91' 10" x 49' 2.5" | 94' x 50' |
| Size of Lane | 19 ' 8.2" x 19' 0.3" | 16' x 19' |
| 3-Point Line | 20' 6.1 " | 23' 9" (22' in corner) |
| Shot Clock | 24 seconds | 24 seconds |
| Shot Clock Reset | FG attempt hits rim | FG attempt hits rim |
| Back Court Violation | 8 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Game Clock Stops After Successful FG | Last 2 minutes of 4th period and overtime | Last 2 minutes of 4th period and overtime |
| Player Foul Limit | 5 | 6 |
| Bonus Free Throw | 5th foul per period (two FTs) | 5th foul per period (one-and-one only) |
| Number of Players Permitted On Free Throw Lane | 5 (three defensive, two offensive) | 5 (three defensive, two offensive) |
| Jump Ball | Yes | Yes |
| Legal Alley-Oop | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Ball On/Above Cylinder | Yes, allowed | Not allowed |
| Closely Guarded For 5 Seconds | Yes (while holding the ball) | No |
| Number of Referees | Two (three can be used in competitions if the Zone or host federation wish to) | Three |
| Timeouts in Regulation | One 60-second in each of the 1st three periods, two 60-second in 4th period | Six 60-second and one 20-second per half |
| Timeouts in O vertime | 1 additional 60-second | 3 additional 60-second |
| Timeouts Called By | Coach | Player in game |
| Size of Basketball | Maximum Circumference 78 cm (30.7") |
Around channels 29 1/2" to 29 3/4" Across channels 29 5/8" to 29 7/8" |
| Legal Jersey Numbers | only from 4 to 15 | All numbers are allowed |