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

Elia Morgulev, Ofer Azar and Michael Bar-Eli

Journal of Economic Psychology, 2019, vol. 75, issue PB

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.

Keywords: Success breeds success; Momentum; Sports; Basketball; Performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 Z20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:75:y:2019:i:pb:s0167487017307122

DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2018.11.005

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