Everyone loves free basketball.
If, as everyone says, the last two minutes of NBA games are the most exciting, then an overtime period only ramps up the fun. Those extra five minutes after regulation time are when true superstars ball out and when NBA teams test their mettle as their stamina wanes.
For sports bettors, though, NBA overtime offers a chance to reset, catch our breath and double down on a live bet or switch up a previous wager. That’s why we’ve created our “Best NBA Overtime Teams” data to give you an edge when things run longer than 48 minutes and you’re itching for a live wager.
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Before we dive in, check out our odds for NBA MVP and the 2022-23 NBA championship. We also have a helpful NBA Computer Picks page that makes betting really simple for you. Our How to Bet on the NBA can also be a resource if you’re just starting.
Best NBA Teams In Overtime (SU Record)
| Team | Overtime Record (SU) | Total Margin Average |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 6-0 | 7.0 |
| Utah Jazz | 3-0 | 3.33 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 3-1 | 2.0 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 3-1 | 1.0 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2-0 | 2.5 |
| Denver Nuggets | 2-0 | 4.0 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 2-0 | 2.5 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2-1 | 0.33 |
| Miami Heat | 2-1 | 2.67 |
| Detroit Pistons | 2-1 | 0.67 |
| Sacramento Kings | 1-0 | 3.0 |
| Houston Rockets | 1-0 | 9.0 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1-1 | 3.0 |
| Golden State Warriors | 1-1 | -2.5 |
| Orlando Magic | 1-1 | 1.0 |
| Washington Wizards | 1-1 | -4.5 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 2-3 | -0.8 |
| New York Knicks | 2-3 | 0.0 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2-3 | -0.4 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 2-4 | -0.33 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 1-2 | -4.0 |
| Boston Celtics | 1-3 | -2.5 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 1-4 | -3.6 |
| Chicago Bulls | 1-4 | -3.6 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 0-1 | -4.0 |
| Indiana Pacers | 0-1 | -3.0 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 0-1 | -6.0 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 0-1 | -2.0 |
| Toronto Raptors | 0-3 | -2.67 |
| Phoenix Suns | 0-3 | -3.33 |
The first order of business is determining which teams are the best in overtime. So far in 2022-23, the Cavaliers are the most dominant, rocking a decisive 6-0 SU record. No team has played more OT games than Cleveland, and clearly the Cavs have mastered the art of late-night energy, beating opponents by an average of seven points in overtime.
Donovan Mitchell is a player to watch when things get late. In games this year when he plays more than 40 minutes, “Spida” is averaging 38.8 points per game.
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On the flip side, there are also several winless teams in overtime. The Raptors and Suns are both 0-3 SU in overtime, with Toronto losing its games by an average margin of -2.67 points and Phoenix losing by an average of -3.33. Those aren’t the worst deficits in the NBA, though, as the Hornets and Bulls (both 1-4 SU in OT) have both been outscored by an average of -3.6 points in their five overtime games. The Timberwolves also got blown out in their lone OT game, losing by six points.
Highest-Scoring NBA Teams In Overtime
| Team | Average Points Per Overtime Game | Overtime Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 24.0 | 1 |
| Sacramento Kings | 20.0 | 1 |
| Orlando Magic | 17.0 | 2 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 15.25 | 4 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 14.17 | 6 |
| Golden State Warriors | 14.0 | 2 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 13.5 | 2 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 13.0 | 2 |
| Denver Nuggets | 13.0 | 2 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 13.0 | 1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 12.6 | 5 |
| Utah Jazz | 11.0 | 3 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 10.8 | 5 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 10.5 | 4 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 10.5 | 6 |
| Detroit Pistons | 10.33 | 3 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 10.33 | 3 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 10.2 | 5 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 10.0 | 1 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 9.5 | 2 |
| Phoenix Suns | 9.33 | 3 |
| New York Knicks | 9.2 | 5 |
| Miami Heat | 8.33 | 3 |
| Boston Celtics | 8.25 | 4 |
| Chicago Bulls | 8.2 | 5 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 6.33 | 3 |
| Indiana Pacers | 6.0 | 1 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 6.0 | 1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 5.67 | 3 |
| Washington Wizards | 3.5 | 2 |
Cleveland, New Orleans and Oklahoma City lead the way in terms of most total overtime points at 85, 63 and 63, respectively. Washington, having played in just two OT games, is last with seven total points. Yikes. Best to fade the Wiz if they make it to overtime.
The real value of this chart comes from the average points per overtime. To extract proper value from this chart, you need to balance scoring with sample size. For example, the Rockets lead the way with 24 points per OT but have played in just one overtime frame. After Houston, there’s Sacramento with one 20-point overtime period and Orlando with 34 points over two overtimes.
In fourth place, Atlanta is the first legit high scorer with an average of 15.25 points per overtime. We can respect that number, as the Hawks have played in four OT games this year, going 3-1 SU.
The lowest-scoring squads with legit sample sizes include the Raptors (0-3 SU, 5.67 points per OT), the Bulls (1-4 SU, 8.2 points per OT), the Celtics (1-3 SU, 8.25 points per OT) and the Knicks (2-3 SU, 9.2 points per OT).
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NBA Scoring Leaders in Overtime
| Player | Average Points Per Overtime Game | Overtime Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| De’Aaron Fox (SAC) | 9.0 | 1 |
| Kevin Durant (BRK) | 7.0 | 1 |
| Kyrie Irving (BRK) | 6.0 | 1 |
| Landry Shamet (PHX) | 6.0 | 1 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 6.0 | 1 |
| Franz Wagner (ORL) | 6.0 | 2 |
| DeMar DeRozan (CHI) | 5.6 | 5 |
| Luka Doncic (DAL) | 5.5 | 4 |
| Paolo Banchero (ORL) | 5.0 | 2 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 5.0 | 5 |
| AJ Griffin (ATL) | 5.0 | 2 |
| Jaxson Hayes (NOP) | 5.0 | 1 |
| Malik Monk (SAC) | 5.0 | 1 |
| Jusuf Nurkic (POR) | 5.0 | 2 |
| Donovan Mitchell (CLE) | 4.8 | 6 |
De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Durant have balled out in their overtime periods. But, as far as players with greater sample size go, DeMar DeRozan looks to be the most consistent in overtime, averaging 5.6 points and shooting .500 from the field. Other superstars such as Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell are also high on this list.
NBA Overtime Rules
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, NBA teams compete in a five-minute overtime period.
Sportsbook possession is decided by a tipoff, each team is given two timeouts per overtime period and players’ personal fouls carry over from regulation. If the score is still tied at the end of the first overtime period, the teams will play another additional frame. An NBA game may continue for as many overtime periods as necessary.
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What are NBA overtime rules?
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, NBA teams compete in a five-minute overtime period.
Sportsbook possession is decided by a tip-off, each team is given two timeouts per overtime period and players’ personal fouls carry over from regulation. If the score is still tied at the end of the first overtime period, the teams will play another additional frame. An NBA game may continue for as many overtime periods as necessary.