<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This study analyzed the effect of a disproportionate amount of time between rounds of a playoff series—known as the “rest vs. rust” debate in the popular sports media—on the likelihood of winning each game of the subsequent round of the tournament. We utilized NBA Finals data from 1984 – 2018, and analyzed this phenomenon using ordered logistic regression with a categorical dependent variable representing the margin of victory of each game. In addition to several control variables, variables reflecting the difference in the time between series for the two teams were used to measure this effect. The results indicate that having additional time between rounds of the series provides a statistically significant advantage; interestingly, though, it has more of an impact on the second game of the subsequent round than it does for the first game. Teams may utilize the results of this study when deciding on how to schedule and intensify their practice sessions, by providing appropriate rest and maintaining rhythm to increase the likelihood of winning each game.</p></abstract>

This study analyzed the effect of a disproportionate amount of time between rounds of a playoff series—known as the “rest vs. rust” debate in the popular sports media—on the likelihood of winning each game of the subsequent round of the tournament. We utilized NBA Finals data from 1984 – 2018, and analyzed this phenomenon using ordered logistic regression with a categorical dependent variable representing the margin of victory of each game. In addition to several control variables, variables reflecting the difference in the time between series for the two teams were used to measure this effect. The results indicate that having additional time between rounds of the series provides a statistically significant advantage; interestingly, though, it has more of an impact on the second game of the subsequent round than it does for the first game. Teams may utilize the results of this study when deciding on how to schedule and intensify their practice sessions, by providing appropriate rest and maintaining rhythm to increase the likelihood of winning each game.

Rest vs. Rust: The Effect of Disproportionate Time Between Rounds of a Playoff Series

International Journal of Computer Science in Sport

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

This study analyzed the effect of a disproportionate amount of time between rounds of a playoff series—known as the “rest vs. rust” debate in the popular...

Rest vs. Rust: The Effect of Disproportionate Time Between Rounds of a Playoff Series

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2018

Pages: 128 - 140

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijcss-2018-0007

Mots clés
Ordered Logistic Regression, Playoff Series, Effect Of Rest, Nba Finals

© 2018 Urban T. L., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Rest vs. Rust: The Effect of Disproportionate Time Between Rounds of a Playoff Series

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2018

Pages: 128 - 140

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijcss-2018-0007

Mots clésOrdered Logistic Regression, Playoff Series, Effect Of Rest, Nba Finals

© 2018 Urban T. L., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
Ordered Logistic Regression, Playoff Series, Effect Of Rest, Nba Finals