NBA Stats Glossary
Defensive Rating
Also: DRTG · DefRtg
Points allowed per 100 possessions. Lower is better.
Definition
Defensive rating measures how many points a team or lineup allows per 100 possessions. Like ORTG, it normalizes across pace. The best defenses sit under 110; the worst sit above 120.
Formula
DRTG = (Points Allowed × 100) / Opponent Possessions
Example
A DRTG of 108 is elite (top 3); 113 is league-average; 118+ is a bottom-tier defense.
Why it matters for research
DRTG is a leading signal for opponent-scoring props and totals. A player facing a top-3 defense typically sees under-performance on points props; facing a bottom-5 defense can inflate them.
Related terms
Points scored per 100 possessions. Standardizes scoring across different paces.
Offensive rating minus defensive rating. The most complete single measure of a team or lineup's quality.
The number of possessions a team uses per 48 minutes. Higher pace means more possessions, which inflates counting stats.
Apply Defensive Rating in research
Ask any NBA question using this metric. The assistant pulls the actual numbers and explains what they mean for tonight's lines.