I think you're on to something there.

When you average the last 10 years, it equals 31.88, very close to the 31.7 that we've averaged this year.

I'm wondering how those 10 teams that you showed "shortened" their rotations in the post season. Did they give their starters 31.7 minutes in the regular season and then abandon that formula for the playoffs? I think it is interesting how the 2001 Lakers were so different than the 2000 or 2002 in terms of minute distribution. What was different about that year?