4 quarters × 8 minutes running time (35 minutes total including breaks); 2-minute breaks between quarters; 5-minute halftime; OT: golden goal sudden-death (4-minute periods)
Why people argue about this
People often assume that after a draw at center, if an offense doesn't score within 30 seconds, they automatically lose possession of the ball. Actually, it's only when the shot clock expires with no attempt to shoot or pass (the ball is stationary) that the defense gets possession. This timing detail can lead to misunderstandings about what constitutes a timeout in the context of the shot clock.
