Halftimes in sports represent another kind of midpoint—a specific moment in time when activity stops and teams formally reassess and recalibrate. But sports halftimes differ from life, or even project, midpoints on one important dimension: At this midpoint, the trailing team confronts harsh mathematical reality. The other team has more points. That means only matching them in the second half will guarantee a loss. The team that’s behind must now not only outscore its opponent, it must also outscore the opposition by more than the amount it’s trailing. A team ahead at halftime—in any sport—is
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