Away (+17.5) Handicap in Basketball Explained
Away (+17.5) Handicap in Basketball Sports Betting
- The away team is given a 17.5-point advantage before the game starts.
- In other words, for betting purposes, 17.5 points are added to the away team’s final score.
The term “incl. overtime” means that any points scored during overtime (extra time) are included when calculating the final score for this bet.
Example:
Suppose a game ends with the following score:
- Home Team: 100
- Away Team: 85
If you bet on Away (+17.5):
- You add 17.5 points to the away team: 85 + 17.5 = 102.5
- Compare 102.5 (Away) vs 100 (Home) → The away team wins the bet because 102.5 > 100.
If you had bet on Home (-17.5) (the opposite handicap):
- Subtract 17.5 points from the home team: 100 – 17.5 = 82.5
- Compare 82.5 (Home) vs 85 (Away) → The home team loses the bet because 82.5 < 85.
Key Points to Understand
- Fractional Handicaps Avoid Ties:
- The “.5” in 17.5 ensures there is no tie. You either win or lose; there’s no push.
- Impact of Overtime:
- If the game goes to overtime, the final score including extra points is used to determine the winner of the bet.
- This can make the bet more unpredictable, as high-scoring overtime periods can change the outcome.
- Who Should Bet on Away (+17.5)?
- This is a safer option if the away team is significantly weaker but expected to cover the point spread.
- Even if they lose the game, the bet can still win as long as they lose by fewer than 17 points.
Betting Tips for Away (+17.5)
- Check Recent Form:
- Look at the away team’s performance in previous games and their ability to stay close against strong opponents.
- Consider Home Court Advantage:
- Home teams often score higher at home, so a large handicap like +17.5 accounts for that.
- Monitor Injuries and Lineups:
- If the home team is missing key players, the away team might cover the spread more easily.
- Overtime Factor:
- If teams tend to play close games and go into overtime, a handicap including OT can be an advantage for the away team.
- Compare Odds Across Bookmakers:
- Some sportsbooks may offer slightly different handicaps or odds. Look for the most favorable combination.
Quick Recap:
| Bet Type | Scenario | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Away (+17.5) | Away loses 100-85 | Bet wins (85 + 17.5 = 102.5 > 100) |
| Home (-17.5) | Home wins 100-85 | Bet loses (100 – 17.5 = 82.5 < 85) |
By using Away (+17.5) handicap, bettors can profit even when the away team is expected to lose, as long as the loss is smaller than 18 points. Including overtime ensures you account for all possible scoring.
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