How Often Do NBA Games Go Into Overtime?

The answer may surprise you – it turns out that NBA games go into overtime quite often! In fact, statistics show that about 1 in every 5 NBA games will go into overtime. This means that if you’re watching a game, there’s a good chance it could go into OT!

Introduction

It’s no secret that the NBA has some of the most exciting games in all of sports. With high-flying dunks, long-range three-pointers, and thrilling finishes, NBA games always seem to deliver. One of the things that can make an NBA game even more exciting is when it goes into overtime.

While it’s not as common as you might think, overtime does happen quite often in the NBA. In fact, over the last five seasons, there have been an average of nearly five overtime games per season. That means that roughly 3% of all regular season games end up going into overtime.

So, how often do specific teams find themselves in overtime games? And which teams are more likely to win when a game goes into extra time? Let’s take a look at some of the numbers to find out.

How often do NBA games go into overtime?

The answer may surprise you. Despite the fact that NBA games are only 48 minutes long, 20 percent of games last season went into overtime. That means that, on average, one out of every five games will require an extra five minutes (or more) of playing time.

In the regular season

In the regular season, NBA games that are tied at the end of regulation play an additional five minutes, which is referred to as overtime. If the score is still tied at the end of overtime, the game ends in a tie. During the playoffs, however, games cannot end in a tie, so they continue to be played until one team has a lead at the end of an overtime period.

According to data from ESPN, during the 2018-19 season, there were a total of Reach 0 games that went into overtime. Of those games, 19% were decided in overtime, while 81% were decided in regulation.

In the playoffs

In the playoffs, there have been 229 games that have gone into overtime since the 1950-1951 season. This means that, on average, each season there are about four or five playoff games that go into overtime.

Why do some games go into overtime while others don’t?

Overtime in the NBA is a 5-minute period where the two teams play to see who can score the most points. If the score is still tied after the 5 minutes, then the game goes into double overtime, and so on. The reason that some games go into overtime while others don’t is because the rules of the NBA state that if the score is tied at the end of regulation, then the game will go into overtime.

The rules of the NBA

Each NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters, for a total of 48 minutes of play. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the game goes into overtime. The rules for overtime are different from those during the regular game, however.

During regular play, each team is allowed two timeouts per half. However, during overtime periods, each team is only allowed one timeout. In addition, the shot clock is reset to 14 seconds after each made basket during regulation play. In overtime, the shot clock is reset to just five seconds after a made basket.

Because of these rule changes, overtimes tend to be shorter than regulation periods. The average length of an overtime period in an NBA game is three minutes and eight seconds.

The style of play

Overtime in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is a five-minute period following the end of the fourth quarter of a game, during which play continues. During overtime, each team is allowed one additional timeout. The maximum number of player fouls per team also increases from 4 to 5 fouls. If a given team reaches the bonus situation, they will receive one free throw for every non-shooting foul committed by the opposing team. As in regulation play, any player fouled while attempting a shot receives two or three free throws depending on whether the shot was taken inside or outside the three-point line.

The NBA’s rules regarding overtime have changed several times throughout the years, with the most recent changes being implemented prior to the start of the 2015–16 season. Prior to that season, if regulation play ended with a tie score, an additional 10-minute period (known as “overtime”) would be played. If after those 10 minutes both teams were still tied, whichever team scored first in overtime would be declared the winner; if neither team scored in overtime then whichever team led after four quarters would win.

However, beginning with the 2015–16 season, if regulation play ends with a tie score, an additional 5-minute period (known as “overtime”) will be played. If after those 5 minutes both teams are still tied, whichever team scores first in overtime will be declared the winner; if neither team scores in overtime then whichever team led after four quarters will win.

The style of play is generally more open and less physical during overtime than during regulation play; fouls are often called more readily since players are more willing to attempt risky plays that might lead to fouls given that they need only score one basket to win the game outright rather than having to outscore their opponents by some margin. As such, NBA teams tend to use their best players during overtime periods even if they did not do so during Regulation Play.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NBA games go into overtime quite often. In fact, about 1 in every 5 games will go into overtime. This means that if you’re watching a game, there’s a good chance it will go into overtime. So if you’re looking to watch some extra basketball, keep an eye out for games that are close in the fourth quarter.