Analysis
Analysis
A basketball box score looks like a table of numbers, but behind it lies the story of a game. If you know the order in which to read it, you can understand why a team won or lost without having seen the game. Here is a step-by-step way to analyse it and a short explanation of the main types of defence.
A single number says almost nothing. Meaning appears when you compare it with the pace, the opponent and the minutes on the court.
How to read basketball statistics
Check the rules
First check which rules the game was played under: the length of the periods, the shot clock and the distance to the three-point arc affect every other number.
Under FIBA rules a game lasts four 10-minute quarters, while a neighbourhood 3×3 tournament has completely different rules.
Assess the pace
Count how many possessions the teams had. A fast game produces more shots and points, so comparing games of different pace by the score alone is misleading.
Look at accuracy
The number of points matters, but shooting percentage matters more. Assess shots at the rim, mid-range shots, long-range shots and free throws separately.
Compare rebounds
Offensive rebounds give extra chances, defensive rebounds end the opponent's possession. An edge here often makes up for an off night from the shooters.
Weigh assists against turnovers
Lots of assists with few turnovers point to an organised offence. If turnovers are almost as high as assists, the team took too many risks.
Don't draw conclusions from a single figure: a high turnover rate late in the game may be explained by the opponent's press.
Factor in minutes and fouls
A player's numbers depend on time on the court. Fouls limit minutes and change the rotation, so look at them together with everything else.
Defensive set-ups in general terms
| Scheme | Idea | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Man-to-man | Each defender is responsible for a specific opponent and follows them around the court. | When the team has enough mobile players and needs to stop the opponent from receiving the ball freely. |
| Zone defence | Defenders divide the court into areas and pick up whoever enters their area. | To protect the area under the basket, hide tired players or force the opponent to shoot from distance. |
| Press | Pressure on the ball starts well before the team's own basket, sometimes right after the inbound pass. | When a team needs to speed up the game, come back from a deficit or make the opponent err under time pressure. |
Related sections
- People
Who creates basketball culture: amateur players, youth coaches, referees, statisticians, photographers and commentators.
- Articles
Magazine topics: the history of the game, the rules and how they changed, basketball vocabulary, street courts, media and fans. Plus the article catalogue.
- History
A basketball timeline from the invention of the game in 1891 to the Olympic debut of 3×3 in 2021.
- Collections
Three themed collections of magazine sections for readers who are just discovering basketball.
- Home
An independent magazine about basketball culture: the history of the game, the rules, the language of the court, street ball and 3×3, and how to watch a game.
Sources
- FIBA — Official Basketball Rules
- Encyclopaedic sources on the history of basketball
Historical dates and rule parameters follow the official FIBA rules and the Olympic history of the game. Rules of amateur tournaments and visiting conditions at sports museums change over time, so check them with the organisers.