USA guard Kyrie Irving never forgets that basketball, even at the Olympic level, is still a game.

"Basketball is fun in general,” he said. “Dribble the ball, shooting shots, seeking your team-mate, making jump shots, giving high fives.”

But playing in Rio 2016 Games will be slightly different than the basketball he is accustomed to in the National Basketball Association. 

Olympic tickets are available on the Rio 2016 portal

The men’s competition at the Rio 2016 Games will be played under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, which are slightly different than those used in the NBA. 

While the differences aren’t major, they are enough to alter the approach of NBA players in an international tournament.

Here are some of the key the rule differences between the NBA and Olympic basketball: 

Olympic basketaball is shorter 

NBA: Games consists of four 12-minute quarters
FIBA: Games consists of four 10-minute quarters 

The three-point line

NBA: the three-point line is 7.24m from the basket (6.7m in the corners)
FIBA: The three-point line is slightly closer to the basket - 6.75m (6.60 in the corners) 

Time-outs are different

NBA: Each team is given six 'full' time-outs per 48-minute game, one 20-second time-out per half and an additional three per overtime period. A second-half 20-second time-out can be carried over into overtime.

FIBA: Teams gets two time-outs in the first half, three in the second half and one per overtime period. All time-outs are 60 seconds long. Time-outs do not carry over from one half to the next.

Jump balls and alternating possession

NBA: Game is started by a jump ball. The team that loses possession during the jump ball gets possession to start the second and fourth quarters. In held-ball situations, a jump ball takes place to determine possession.

FIBA: Game is started by a jump ball with the losing team getting possession during the next held-ball situation. Teams then then alternate possession in subsequent held-ball situations.

Personal fouls

NBA: A player fouls out of the game after six fouls or two technical fouls.
FIBA: A player can foul out after accumulating five fouls (personal and technical) 

Zone defence

NBA: Zone defence – i.e. defending an area of the floor rather than marking an individual player - is legal, but a defensive player cannot stay in the lane for more than three seconds if he is not actively guarding an opponent. 
FIBA: Zone defence is legal. 

Goaltending/basket interference

NBA: Players are not allowed to touch the ball on its downward trajectory towards the rim. Once the ball hits the rim, it cannot be played if it’s in the “cylinder,” the area directly above the rim.
FIBA: Like the NBA, players are not allowed to touch the ball on its downward trajectory. Once the ball touches the rim, however, any player can touch the ball. 

NBA fans looking to learn more about international basketball rules can check out the official FIBA rule book.

A key part of USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski's job is helping his players adjust to international basketball rules. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

USA players learn to adjust to international rules

Jerry Colangelo notes that the USA’s only loss during his tenure as the team’s director – a semi-final defeat to Greece at the 2006 World Championships – could largely be chalked up to “nuances of the game” related to international play. 

USA basketball glimpse of life behind the scenes at Rio 2016

That’s why USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski is preparing his team for the differences in international play. 

“We have international officials comes in and advise in terms of what’s allowable and what isn’t, the kind of calls that will be made,” Colangelo said.

He says one key difference is how international officials handle travelling calls. 

“In international play, they call travelling. In the NBA, not so much. That’s a big change and so [players] have to adjust." 

USA play China in Group A at 19:00 tonight at the Carioca Arena 1.