The NBA received much criticism over the fact that the seven-game series was stretched out over 18 days , presumably for television ; it remains the longest ( in total number of days ) playoff series ever played in any sport . ( Even the 1989 World Series , interrupted for ten days by an earthquake , lasted only 15 days . However , that series ended in a sweep and , had it gone the full seven games , would have lasted 19 days )
earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
1978 NBA Finals