Does a “comeback” create momentum in overtime? Analysis of NBA tied games

Elia Morgulev; Ofer H. Azar; Michael Bar-Eli

doi:10.1016/j.joep.2018.11.005

Does a “comeback” create momentum in overtime? Analysis of NBA tied games

Elia Morgulev, Ofer H. Azar, Michael Bar-Eli

Department of Business Administration

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of the momentum concept, the literature is still divided on whether psychological momentum actually exists. We aimed to detect psychological momentum in the specific setting of overtime in basketball games. We collected data from 11 NBA seasons and identified all games that were tied after the end of regulation time. Comeback during basketball games is perceived to be a catalyst for momentum. In contradiction to such common beliefs, we found that teams that came from behind to tie the game did not have higher chances to win in overtime. Interestingly, however, home advantage and the number of season wins of the teams did affect the chances to win in the 5-minute overtime.

Original language	English
Article number	102126
Journal	Journal of Economic Psychology
Volume	75
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2018.11.005
State	Published - 1 Dec 2019

Keywords

2330
2900
3000
3400
3720
Basketball
Momentum
Performance
Sports
Success breeds success

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Sociology and Political Science
Applied Psychology
Economics and Econometrics

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10.1016/j.joep.2018.11.005

Cite this

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title = "Does a “comeback” create momentum in overtime? Analysis of NBA tied games",

abstract = "Despite the prevalence of the momentum concept, the literature is still divided on whether psychological momentum actually exists. We aimed to detect psychological momentum in the specific setting of overtime in basketball games. We collected data from 11 NBA seasons and identified all games that were tied after the end of regulation time. Comeback during basketball games is perceived to be a catalyst for momentum. In contradiction to such common beliefs, we found that teams that came from behind to tie the game did not have higher chances to win in overtime. Interestingly, however, home advantage and the number of season wins of the teams did affect the chances to win in the 5-minute overtime.",

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Does a “comeback” create momentum in overtime? Analysis of NBA tied games

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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