Scoring Benefits to Eastward Travel in the NBA

James Hasbany, Ryland Burke, Lawrence Watson and Jacqueline Doremus
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James Hasbany: California Polytechnic State University
Ryland Burke: California Polytechnic State University
Lawrence Watson: Ernst & Young

No 2103, Working Papers from California Polytechnic State University, Department of Economics

Abstract: Travel across time zones may affect player scoring through their circadian rhythm. We test how team travel affects team scoring for the US National Basketball Association from 2014-2018, a period that coincides with the start of a new game scheduler. Next, we test whether a collective bargaining agreement with schedule restrictions protecting player rest changed the relationship between travel and scoring statistics. We find eastward travel increases scoring via three-pointers and field goals. The 2017 collective bargaining agreement mitigates the eastward travel benefit on scoring and increases scoring overall, suggesting improved fairness and potential benefits for players and fans.

Keywords: NBA; basketball; travel; circadian rhythm; time zones (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L83 Z2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 28 pages
Date: 2021
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-spo
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