A professional basketball game is structured into distinct periods of play. The standard duration of a contest is divided into either two segments comprising equal time, or four shorter, equally-timed segments. The former represents a division into two major portions of gameplay, while the latter involves a further subdivision of each half.
The method of segmenting game time is crucial for strategy, player management, and broadcasting. The length of these periods influences player stamina, coaching decisions regarding substitutions and timeouts, and the overall flow of the game. Historically, the current system evolved to balance action and commercial opportunities.
