What “Over 164.5” Means in Basketball Betting
When you bet Over 164.5, you are wagering that the total combined points scored by both teams in a game will be 165 or more.
If the total points scored by both teams are 164 or fewer, your bet loses.
There’s no tie or “push” in this line because of the .5 (half-point). It ensures the bet is either a win or a loss.
Example — NBA Game
Match: Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings
Total Points Line: 164.5
Scenario 1 – Bet Wins
- Final Score: Warriors 88 – Kings 80
- Total Points = 88 + 80 = 168
Over 164.5 wins
Scenario 2 – Bet Loses
- Final Score: Warriors 83 – Kings 78
- Total Points = 83 + 78 = 161
Over 164.5 loses
How Bookmakers Set the Line
Bookmakers use factors like:
- Both teams’ average points per game
- Defensive strength
- Pace of play (fast or slow tempo)
- Recent form and injuries
- Venue (some courts produce higher scoring games)
For instance, a game between Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings often has a high total line because both teams play at a fast pace and score a lot of 3-pointers.
Real-Life Example (Team Focus)
Let’s look at the Indiana Pacers, one of the highest-scoring NBA teams in recent seasons.
- Average points scored per game: ~120
- Average points conceded: ~118
- Typical total per game = around 238 points
If the betting line is Over 164.5, that’s well below their average total — meaning:
- Over 164.5 is likely to hit easily, unless they have a poor shooting night.
So if Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets has an Over/Under 164.5, this is a good spot to consider Over because both teams are offense-oriented and play at high tempo.
Betting Tips for “Over 164.5” Bets
- Check Team Pace & Style
- Teams like the Pacers, Warriors, Kings, and Hawks play fast and push scoring.
- Slow, defensive teams like the Heat or Knicks may keep totals lower.
- Watch for Key Player Injuries
- Missing top scorers (like Stephen Curry or Tyrese Haliburton) can drop total points drastically.
- Look at Recent Totals
- If both teams have been scoring 100+ regularly, Over 164.5 is more likely.
- If they’ve been struggling offensively, consider the Under instead.
- Live Betting Tip
- If the first quarter is slow, the total line may drop live — you can grab Over at a better number (like Over 155.5) if you expect scoring to rise later.
- Check Venue Trends
- Some arenas (like Golden 1 Center or Chase Center) are known for high-scoring games.
Summary
| Outcome | Total Points | Result for Over 164.5 |
|---|---|---|
| 165 or more | Win | |
| 164 or less | Lose |
Example Tip:
Bet: Over 164.5
Game: Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets
Reason: Both teams rank top 10 in pace and offense, poor defenses, average combined total in last 5 meetings = 229 points.
Verdict: Over 164.5 is a strong value bet.
Would you like me to show you how to pick Over/Under bets using recent team stats (like average points, defense ranking, pace)?
I can give you a quick step-by-step guide for that.