# Analysis of Offensive Patterns After Timeouts in Critical Moments in the EuroLeague 2022/23
## 4 Discussion  
The objective of this research was to analyze the development and patterns of plays after timeouts (ATO's) in the last two minutes and overtime periods of games with final scores equal to or within 10 points in the 2022/23 EuroLeague. This study is pioneering in examining the development of plays following timeouts during critical moments of the game. The results reveal, first and foremost, that home teams request a greater number of timeouts and have a higher scoring success rate on the subsequent play compared to visiting teams. This may relate to the 'home advantage phenomenon' [51], where teams benefit from playing at home. This advantage, widely documented in the literature [52], may be due to the more assertive attitude of home teams, fostered by the arena environment, which drives them to seek more contact and force the visiting team to take worse shots due to defensive pressure [53]. This phenomenon is especially prominent in the Balkans, in indoor sports involving physical contact, and in men's teams [52]. The probability of \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Sequence of Patterns**} & \multicolumn{1}{c}{**Max**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Most Representative T-Pattern**} & **O** & **\%R** & **\%T** \\ \hline AWAY & & & & & (((away (diff. of 0 to 3 points 0 passes used))(no ball screens (foul 2 free throws)))(central perimeter zone & 4 & 5.6 & 1.1 \\ AWAY & WIN & & 22 & ((away ((winning difference of 0 to 3 points)(0 passes used no ball screens)))(foul (guard yes))) & 7 & 31.8 & 2.0 \\ AWAY & WIN & T17\_24 & 1 & & & - & - & \\ AWAY & WIN & T9\_16 & 9 & (((away winning)(diff. of 0 to 3 points no ball screens)(16-9 s possession foil)))(2 free throws yes) & 5 & 55.6 & 1.4 \\ AWAY & WIN & T0\_8 & 12 & (((away (winning differ. of 0 to 3 points)((0 passes used no ball screens)(8-0 s possession guard))) yes) & 6 & 50.0 & 1.7 \\ \hline AWAY & LOS & & & 48 & ((away ((losing difference of 4 to 6 points)(layup 2-points basket))(guard yes)) & 4 & 8.3 & 1.1 \\  & & & & ((away ((losing difference of 0 to 3 points)(2 passes used 8–0 s possession)))(2-points basket yes)) & 4 & 8.3 & 1.1 \\ AWAY & LOS & T17\_24 & 1 & & - & - & - & - \\ AWAY & LOS & T9\_16 & 22 & ((away ((losing difference of 4 to 6 points)(0 passes used 16–9 s possession)))(2-points basket yes)) & 5 & 22.7 & 1.4 \\  & & & & ((away losing)(difference of 4 to 6 points ((16–9 s possession layout)(2-points basket yes))) & 4 & 18.2 & 1.1 \\ AWAY & LOS & T0\_8 & 25 & ((away losing)(difference of 0 to 3 points ((8–0 s possession 3-points basket)(guard yes))) & 4 & 16.0 & 1.1 \\  & & & & ((away (losing difference of 0 to 3 points)(2 passes used 8–0 s possession)))(2-points basket yes)) & 4 & 16.0 & 1.1 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Note: Max refers to the maximum possible frequency of actions with this sequence; O = occurrence; %R = percentage relative to the maximum number of actions that occurred with the established search sequence; %T = percentage relative to the total number of actions observed; LOS = losing; WIN = winning; T0\_8 = 8–0 s of possession remaining; T9\_16 = 16–9 s of possession remaining; T17\_24 = 24–17 s of possession remaining.  
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Table 2: _Cont._winning at home ranges from 52% in countries like Estonia to 70% in Bosnia-Herzegovina or Croatia [54]. However, it is estimated that approximately two-thirds of this advantage accumulate during the first quarter, gradually diminishing as the game progresses [55]. In high-stress situations, such as the final minutes and overtime, this effect diminishes, as visiting teams tend to adapt to the arena environment [56; 57]. Our data support this, showing no significant differences in scoring or location, consistent with findings [15] that timeout effects are similar for home and away teams. When analyzing the timing of timeouts during 'crunch time', it becomes evident that the highest number occurs as the game nears its end, especially in the last 30 s and with a one-possession margin.