The Object of the Game

## What basketball is trying to achieve Basketball is a game of possession and scoring. Two teams of five players compete to score more points than the opponent within four quarters of play (typically 10 or 12 minutes each, depending on the competition). ## How points are scored - **2 points** — any field goal made from inside the three-point arc - **3 points** — any field goal made from beyond the three-point arc - **1 point** — each successful free throw ## The shot clock Professional basketball uses a shot clock (24 seconds in the NBA, 30 seconds in FIBA) that forces teams to attempt a shot before it expires. This single rule transforms basketball into a game of continuous pace and pressure — it prevents teams from stalling indefinitely and forces offensive decision-making under time constraints. ## Why this matters analytically Every possession has a value. Teams with better shot selection, faster pace, or superior conversion rates accumulate an edge one possession at a time. Modern basketball analytics treats each possession as a transaction to be optimised.