What Does “Away (-5.5)” Mean?
When you see Away (-5.5), it means:
- You are betting on the away team.
- They must win by at least 6 points for your bet to win.
- The half-point (.5) removes the possibility of a tie (called a “push”).
Example with Teams
Game:
- Los Angeles Lakers (Away)
- vs Boston Celtics (Home)
Bet: Lakers -5.5
Possible results:
| Final Score | Bet Result |
|---|---|
| Lakers 110 – Celtics 100 | Win (Lakers win by 10) |
| Lakers 105 – Celtics 100 | Lose (Lakers win by only 5) |
| Celtics 108 – Lakers 104 | Lose (Lakers didn’t win) |
Because the Lakers had a -5.5 handicap, they needed to win by 6 or more points.
What Does “Handicap (Including Overtime) 4.5” Mean?
This market means:
- The handicap applies to the final score, including overtime.
- The number 4.5 means no tie is possible.
- Some books show it like:
- Team A -4.5 (incl. OT)
- Team B +4.5 (incl. OT)
Examples with Teams
Game:
- Golden State Warriors
- vs Miami Heat
Bet: Warriors -4.5 (including overtime)
Scenario:
Regulation ends:
- Warriors 100 – Heat 100 (goes to overtime)
Overtime result:
- Warriors 112 – Heat 107
Final margin:
- Warriors win by 5 points
Your bet wins because:
- Overtime is included
- Final margin covered the -4.5 spread
If overtime ended:
- Warriors 111 – Heat 109 (win by 2)
Your bet would lose.
Difference Between “Away -5.5” and “Handicap (incl. overtime) 4.5”
| Term | What It Focuses On |
|---|---|
| Away -5.5 | Away team must win by 6+ points |
| Handicap (incl. overtime) 4.5 | Spread is applied to final score including OT |
Most standard basketball handicap markets automatically include overtime, but some special markets may not — always check your bookmaker’s rules.
Practical Betting Tips for These Markets
1. Look at Home vs Away Performance
Some teams are much weaker on the road. For example:
- Denver Nuggets are historically strong at home due to altitude.
- Away favorites can struggle there, even with a -5.5 line.
2. Watch Injury Reports
Before betting a spread:
- Check if star players are missing
- A late scratch can shift a team from a favorite to an underdog
3. Pay Attention to Back-to-Back Games
If the away team is playing its second game in two nights, fatigue may affect performance and ability to cover large spreads.
4. Understand “Hook” Numbers
The .5 in -5.5 or -4.5 is called the “hook”:
- It avoids a push
- It makes betting more precise and riskier than whole numbers
Key basketball margins often land around 3–7 points, making half-point spreads very important.
5. Overtime Favors Favorites
Since overtime counts, favorites usually benefit:
- Stronger squads tend to dominate in extra time
- This increases the chance of covering spreads like -4.5
Quick Summary
- Away (-5.5) means the away team must win by 6+ points
- Handicap (incl. overtime) 4.5 means the spread applies to the final score, including OT
- The .5 removes the chance of a draw
- Overtime can help or hurt your bet depending on the final margin
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