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In basketball, if the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, the game goes into overtime, with each team allowed two timeouts. The first to score in overtime is often considered to have a significant advantage, and while there are no official 'sudden-death' rules, scoring first can lead to a strong majority of wins. The NBA G League, for example, adopted the Elam Ending for its 2022-23 season, where the first team to score at least seven points in overtime wins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overtime period duration | 5 minutes |
| Number of team timeouts per overtime period | 2 |
| Number of mandatory timeouts in each period | 2 |
| Time between the end of regulation and overtime | 2:30 |
| Time between the first and second periods, the third and fourth periods, and before any overtime period during local games | 2:30 |
| Time between the first and second periods, the third and fourth periods, and before any overtime period during national TV games | 3:30 |
| Win rate of team scoring first in the first overtime period | 45/79 (57%) |
| Win rate of team scoring last in the fourth quarter | 44/79 (56%) |
| Win rate of team scoring last in an overtime period to send it to another overtime round | 5/14 (36%) |
| Win rate of "momentum team" (combined win rate of scoring last in the fourth quarter/overtime to send it to overtime/another overtime) | 49/44 (53%) |
| Overtime format in the Canadian Elite Basketball League and the NBA G League | Elam Ending |
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What You'll Learn
Overtime rules in the NBA
Overtime in the NBA is an extra period of play that occurs when the score is tied at the end of the fourth period. Each overtime period lasts for five minutes, and the game will continue with multiple overtime periods until one team has a lead at the end of a period.
During overtime, each team is allowed two timeouts, and there must be two mandatory timeouts in each period. If neither team has taken a timeout before 6:59 of the period, the official scorer must take one and charge it to the home team. If no subsequent timeouts are taken before 2:59, the official scorer must take another, charging it to the team that was not previously charged. These mandatory timeouts are typically 2:45 minutes long for local games and 3:15 minutes for national games.
In the last two minutes of overtime, the timing devices are stopped following a successful field goal attempt. During this time, the ball may be passed anywhere on the court during inbound plays. However, if the ball is thrown into the frontcourt and an offensive player fails to control it, causing it to go into the backcourt, their team may not be the first to touch the ball.
Additionally, the first three common fouls committed by a team in overtime will result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest to where play was interrupted. During this time, a team may also utilise a Coach's Challenge to trigger an instant replay review of specific events, such as a called personal foul or a called out-of-bounds violation.
It is worth noting that the NBA G League has adopted the Elam Ending for its overtime format, where the first team to score a specified number of points in overtime wins.
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Overtime rules in Olympic basketball
The rules of Olympic basketball are slightly different from those of the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. Here are the overtime rules for Olympic basketball:
Timing
Olympic basketball games are divided into four quarters lasting 10 minutes each, making the total time 40 minutes. If the game is tied after four quarters, a five-minute overtime period is played. The teams continue playing five-minute overtimes until a winner is decided. There is a 2:30 break before the start of the first overtime period.
Timeouts
Each team will get one timeout per overtime period. Each timeout lasts 60 seconds, and timeouts do not carry over between halves or overtimes. In addition, there must be two mandatory timeouts in each overtime period. If neither team has taken a timeout before 6:59 of the period, the official scorer must take a timeout and charge it to the home team. If no subsequent timeouts are taken before 2:59, the official scorer must take another timeout and charge it to the team not previously charged.
Scoring
The scoring system in Olympic basketball is the same as in the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. Two points are awarded for a field goal made inside the 3-point arc, three points are awarded for a field goal made from beyond the 3-point arc, and one point is awarded for a free throw.
Goaltending
Goaltending rules in Olympic basketball differ from those in the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA. In Olympic basketball, once the ball hits the rim, any offensive or defensive player can legally play the ball. However, in the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA, there is an imaginary cylinder above the basket, and touching the ball while it is within that cylinder—even if the ball has already hit the rim—results in a violation.
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Overtime rules in FIBA Europe competitions
FIBA, or the International Basketball Federation, is responsible for deciding, publishing, and adapting the official basketball rules, which are the only basketball rules recognized internationally. The rules of overtime vary between different basketball competitions. FIBA Europe competitions are the only ones known to use overtime only to break a tie on aggregate. Starting in the 2009-10 season, Euroleague Basketball, the organizer of the EuroLeague and EuroCup, introduced a new rule for two-legged ties that eliminated overtime unless necessary to break a tie on aggregate.
In basketball, the alternating possession rule is used to start all overtime periods under international rules for full-court basketball, while a jump ball is used under high school and NCAA rules. The entire overtime period is played; there is no sudden death provision. All counts of personal fouls against players are carried over for the purpose of disqualifying players. If the score remains tied after an overtime period, this procedure is repeated until a winner is determined. As many as six overtime periods have been necessary to determine a winner in an NBA game.
In some competitions, the Elam Ending has been adopted, which eliminates overtime altogether. In this format, teams play to a target score, with the shot clock still enforced. The first team to meet or exceed the target score wins. The NBA G League adopted the Elam Ending for its 2022-23 season, implementing it once a game goes to overtime, with the first team to score at least seven points in overtime winning.
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Overtime rules in 3x3 basketball
In 3x3 basketball, the first team to score 21 points wins the game. If neither team reaches 21 points within the 10-minute playing time, the team with the higher score at the end of the game wins. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, overtime comes into effect.
During overtime, the side that started the game as the defensive team gets the first possession. The first team to score 2 points during overtime wins the game. There is a 1-minute break before the start of overtime.
In 3x3 basketball, stalling or failing to play actively (i.e., not attempting to score) is a violation. A team must attempt a shot within 12 seconds. The clock starts as soon as the ball is in the offensive player's hands. If the offensive team rebounds the ball after an unsuccessful field goal or last free throw, they may continue to attempt to score without clearing the ball beyond the arc. If the defensive team rebounds or steals the ball, it must clear the ball beyond the arc by passing or dribbling.
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Overtime rules in exhibition games
In basketball, overtime (OT) or extra time is an additional period of play to determine a winner and avoid a draw when the scores are tied at the end of regulation. The rules of overtime vary depending on the league and competition. Some leagues use the sudden death format, where the first team to score in overtime immediately wins the game. This format is commonly used in high school and college sports, as well as in some professional leagues like the National Football League (NFL).
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the rules for overtime periods are as follows:
- Each overtime period is five minutes long.
- Teams are allowed two timeouts per overtime period, with two mandatory timeouts in each period.
- The entire overtime period is played; there is no sudden-death provision.
- If the score remains tied after an overtime period, the procedure is repeated until a winner is determined.
In exhibition games (non-competitive play) in the NBA, the decision to play overtime is at the discretion of the coaches and organizers, especially if it is a non-tournament game. The Las Vegas Summer League, for example, has its own set of overtime rules.
Some basketball leagues have adopted alternative overtime formats, such as the Elam Ending. In this format, teams play to a target score instead of a game clock. The first team to meet or exceed the target score wins. The NBA G League, for example, adopted the Elam Ending for its 2022-23 season, using it as the overtime format.
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Frequently asked questions
If the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, play shall resume in 2:30 minutes without a change of baskets for any of the overtime periods required. Each team is allowed two team timeouts per overtime period.
An overtime period in the NBA is five minutes long.
The Elam Ending is an alternative scoring format that some basketball leagues have adopted. Instead of a game clock, teams play to a target score, with the shot clock still enforced. The first team to meet or exceed the target score wins, so there is no overtime.
