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How NBA Overtime Works | LeoVegas

The Ultimate Guide to NBA Overtime: Rules, Strategies, and Iconic Moments

Here’s everything that you need to know about NBA overtime, including how it works, overtime records, and the most iconic moments in NBA overtime history.

Table of Contents:

What is NBA Overtime?

Overtime is an additional five-minute period added to the end of an NBA game that has its score tied at the end of the fourth period.

In the NBA, teams can only win or lose. If a game is tied at the end of regulation time, it goes into overtime to determine the winner.

Understanding NBA Overtime Rules

Duration and Structure of Overtime

Overtime takes place shortly after the fourth period if teams end regulation time in a tie. The teams will then play a five-minute period to try to determine a winner. If it’s still tied, another overtime period will take place.

How NBA Overtime Differs from Regulation Time

In the NBA, each of the four quarters of regulation time lasts 12 minutes, while overtime periods are shorter, lasting 5 minutes each. If the game remains tied at the end of an overtime period, additional overtime periods can be played until a winner is determined.

Rules for Fouls in Overtime

In overtime, the first three common fouls from a team result in the ball going to the other team. Three or more common fouls that are given as team fouls result in a penalty free-throw and another free-throw.

Timeouts in Overtime

Both teams are allowed two timeouts during an overtime period.

History of Overtime in the NBA

Origins of the Overtime Rule

The overtime rule in the NBA dates back to its very inception, with some of the longest overtime games coming in the earliest years of the league.

Major Changes to Overtime Regulations

The most recent major change to overtime regulations saw teams have their timeouts cut from three to two in 2017/18.

Notable Milestones in NBA Overtime History

In 1951, an NBA overtime milestone was made and hasn’t been met since. In the game between the Indianapolis Olympians and Rochester Royals, six periods of overtime were played!

Overtime vs. Regular Time: Key Differences

Intensity and Fatigue Factors

Overtime takes place after a brief 2:30 minutes after the end of the fourth period, so players will be fatigued. Equally, overtime tends to be an intense spurt of play due to the limited clock.

Strategy Adjustments by Coaches

Some coaches opt to try to gain a hefty lead and go all-out from the start of overtime, but others seek to defend, let the opposition tire, and then kick it up a notch to try to find the win.

Impact on Player Performance

Players can be expected to see their performance dip as more overtime periods are added.

NBA Overtime Strategies

Offensive Strategies for Overtime

Keeping the ball for longer to drain the clock while waiting for good scoring chances helps to put pressure on opponents.

Defensive Adjustments in Overtime

Fatigue can result in players shooting being less precise, which can allow a team to essentially rest a bit early, defend, and then put the pressure on late to try to find the win against more fatigued opponents.

Managing Player Stamina and Foul Trouble

Fatigued players are more likely to commit fouls, so cycling out even tired starters can be key.

Overtime and NBA Records

Longest Overtime Games in NBA History

The longest overtime game in NBA history was the Indianapolis Olympians against the Rochester Royals in 1951, which saw six periods of overtime.

Highest-Scoring Overtime Games

Four of the top five highest-scoring NBA games feature overtime periods. Top of the list is the triple-OT game between the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets on December 13, 1983. The end score was 186-184 for 370 total points.

Players with the Most Overtime Appearances

According to Statmuse, DeMar DeRozan leads the NBA with the most career games played in overtime with 51, followed by the 46 overtime appearances of Russell Westbrook.

Iconic Overtime Moments in NBA History

The Greatest Overtime Showdowns

Considered by many to be the greatest game ever played in the NBA, Game 5 of the 1976 Finals went to triple overtime. Eventually, Glenn McDonald stepped up for Boston to score six and help win the game 128-126.

Memorable Overtime Performances by Legends

In Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics managed to win 110-107 against the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime thanks to the onslaught of 30 points and 40 rebounds put up by Bill Russell across the total time, and Bob Cousy dribbling the ball around to gobble up time.

Overtime and Playoff Games

Overtime in the NBA Playoffs

In the NBA Playoffs, overtime operates in essentially the same way as in the regular season, only with free throws being awarded on the fourth foul or the second foul if made under the three-minute mark.

How Overtime Affects a Playoff Series

Playing overtime in the playoffs isn’t ideal. The NBA Playoffs are already very taxing on players with the close schedule and travel, so additional time doesn’t help manage fatigue.

Famous Playoff Overtime Games

The longest OT games in NBA Playoff history occurred in the 1952/53 Eastern Division Semifinals and the 2018/19 Western Conference Semifinals. In both games, four periods of OT were played until a winner was decided.

FAQs

How does overtime work in the NBA?

If a game ends with the score tied in the NBA, the teams will enter a five-minute overtime playing five-on-five basketball. If the score at the end of this overtime period remains tied, another overtime period will be played.

How many times can you go into OT in the NBA?

In theory, you can go into overtime infinitely in the NBA. If the score’s still tied at the end of a five-minute overtime period, another will be played.

When did the overtime rule change?

The overtime rules of the NBA have been in place since the league’s inception in 1949.

What’s the longest OT in NBA history?

The longest OT in NBA history saw six periods of overtime played. This occurred on January 6th, 1951, when the Rochester Royals and Indianapolis Olympians found themselves tied at the end of regulation. In the end, the Olympians won the game 75-73.

How many minutes are in an NBA overtime period?

An NBA overtime period lasts five minutes. There is no sudden death rule; each overtime period is a full five minutes, allowing teams the opportunity to score multiple times before determining the winner.

How long is overtime in the NBA playoffs?

In the NBA Playoffs, one overtime period is five minutes long. Overtime as a whole though, can continue to run until there’s a winner. So far, four overtime periods mark the longest.

How does playoff overtime work?

The overtime rules in the NBA are the same for both regular season and playoff games. In both scenarios, if the score is tied at the end of regulation, the game goes into a five-minute overtime period. If the score remains tied after, additional overtime periods continue to play until a winner is determined.

Has there ever been overtime in the NBA Finals?

The NBA Finals have seen periods of overtime being required several times, with the prime example being Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals, which saw the Boston Celtics win in triple overtime over the Phoenix Suns.

How many quarters are in basketball overtime?

There aren’t any quarters in basketball overtime. In the NBA, quarters are played for 12 minutes, but overtime is initially one five-minute period.

Can an NBA game end in a tie?

An NBA game cannot end in a tie. If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, it goes to overtime, which is five minutes of five-on-five basketball.

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