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Over/under in basketball: how totals work

The total is the combined points of both teams that the bookmaker expects in a game. If the line is 160.5, an over bet wins when the teams score 161 or more, and an under bet wins at 160 or fewer.

Half-point lines and pushes

A line ending in .5 cannot tie: 82:79 is 161 points, which is over 160.5. A whole-number line such as 160 can land exactly on the number. That result is a push and the stake is usually returned, so check the rules of the operator you use.

What goes into a total

The line reflects the pace of both teams, how many points each scores and allows, the league's scoring level, injuries and rest. The same two teams can have a very different total in a different league or on a different day.

How to check a line yourself

Compare the line with the teams' average game total in the same league and season, and look at how often their games went over similar numbers. League pages on LineVS show average totals, points per quarter and over/under rates by team.

A single average does not decide anything: it only tells you whether the line is in the normal range for these teams or far from it.

Related

Totals and scoring stats by league →Bookmaker margin calculator →Bookmaker margin: what it is and how to calculate it →Odds to probability: decimal, fractional and American →Line movement in basketball: what it means →Basketball totals betting: over/under, how to choose and check →ROI in betting: what it is and how to calculate it →Small leagues and small markets in basketball betting →Live basketball betting: how it works and what to watch →Basketball betting for beginners: where to start →

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