What are extra periods considered in basketball?

Extra periods in basketball, commonly referred to as overtime, are considered a continuation of the fourth quarter. This means that the game does not reset or start afresh; rather, it extends the existing game to resolve a tie score. The rules governing gameplay, such as fouls, team fouls, and possession, also carry over from regulation play into overtime, emphasizing that it is a direct continuation of the regular game. The objective remains the same, which is to outscore the opponent within the additional time frame provided. This continuation aspect distinguishes extra periods from being treated as separate games, timeouts, or mere chances for substitutions, where the contexts and rules would differ significantly.