Totals (over/under)

A total, or over/under, ignores who wins entirely. The book posts a number for the combined points both teams will score, and you bet whether the real total finishes over or under it.

The bet

If the line is 210.5 and the final score is 108–105 (213 total), the over wins. A 99–101 game (200) means the under wins. The half-point again prevents a push.

What drives the number

Totals are mostly a question of pace and efficiency — how many possessions a game has and how well teams convert them.

• Fast teams that push the ball create more possessions → higher totals.
• Slow, defensive teams grind the clock → lower totals.

Why league format matters so much

This is where the Basketball from scratch track pays off. Period length sets the ceiling on possessions: an NBA game (4×12 minutes) has far more playing time than a FIBA game (4×10) or an NCAA game (2×20), so a "normal" total is completely different in each. Knowing the format tells you instantly whether 150 or 220 is a reasonable line. Pace and format are exactly the kind of context FinalSkore's models lean on — and the foundation for reading any total sensibly.