NBA Research Reference
NBA Stats Glossary
Clear definitions of the NBA metrics that actually move prop lines. Usage, pace, TS%, net rating, and more — what each stat means and why it matters for research.
Usage
Usage Rate
Usage % · USG% · URAT
The percentage of team plays that end with a given player's shot, turnover, or free throw attempt while they're on the floor.
Assist Rate
AST% · Assist Percentage
The percentage of teammate field goals a player assists on while they're on the floor.
Turnover Rate
TOV% · Turnover Percentage
The percentage of a player's possessions that end in a turnover.
Efficiency
True Shooting Percentage
TS% · True Shooting
A shooting efficiency metric that weights 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and free throws into a single percentage.
Effective Field Goal Percentage
eFG%
Field goal percentage adjusted for the extra value of 3-point makes.
Offensive Rating
ORTG · OffRtg
Points scored per 100 possessions. Standardizes scoring across different paces.
Net Rating
NetRtg · Net
Offensive rating minus defensive rating. The most complete single measure of a team or lineup's quality.
Pace
Defense
General
Player Efficiency Rating
PER
A per-minute summary stat that rates a player's total box-score production.
Box Plus/Minus
BPM
An estimate of a player's per-100-possession contribution vs a league-average player, derived from box score stats.
Plus/Minus
+/- · On-Court Plus-Minus
The point differential while a player is on the court.
Apply these metrics in research
Ask any question using these terms. The assistant pulls the actual numbers and explains what moves the line.