Category

Term	Abbreviation	Category	Description	Usage & Notes
And-One	—	Offensive Plays	Field goal made while being fouled, granting one extra free throw.	Often shouted after finishing through contact; recorded as a made basket plus one free throw.
Buzzer Beater	—	Offensive Plays	Shot released before the game or period buzzer that still counts if it goes in.	Counts as long as the ball leaves the hand in time and often becomes a game-winning highlight.
Fast Break	—	Offensive Plays	Quick offensive push in transition before the defense is set.	Sparked by steals or long rebounds to create high percentage looks at the rim.
Bank Shot	—	Signature Moves	Shot that strikes the backboard before dropping through the rim.	Common from the wings and on floaters; shooters may call “bank” to signal glass.
Cut	—	Offensive Plays	Quick off-ball move toward the rim or open space to receive a pass.	Punishes defenders who overplay passing lanes; backdoor cuts generate easy layups.
Drive-and-Kick	—	Offensive Plays	Ball handler drives to collapse the defense then kicks the ball to an open teammate.	Creates rhythm catch-and-shoot chances around the arc and forces scramble rotations.
Pick-and-Roll	PnR	Game Strategy	Ball handler uses a teammate's screen then attacks or passes.	Core half-court action to create mismatches or force help rotations.
Isolation	ISO	Game Strategy	Clearing space so the ball handler can attack one-on-one.	Called when a star scorer has a favorable matchup to exploit.
Horns Set	—	Game Strategy	Half-court alignment with two bigs at the elbows and guards up top to trigger varied actions.	Flows into pick-and-rolls, dribble handoffs, or high-low looks depending on the read.
Alley-Oop	—	Offensive Plays	Lob pass finished in mid-air by a teammate.	Demands timing between passer and finisher, often ending with a dunk.
Post-Up	—	Offensive Plays	Offensive player backs down a defender near the basket.	Creates close looks or forces help so shooters get open.
Box Out	—	Defensive Concepts	Securing rebounding position by sealing an opponent with the body.	Executed the moment a shot goes up to secure the rebound.
Closeout	—	Defensive Concepts	Defender sprints to the shooter to contest while staying balanced.	Prevents clean threes without giving up straight-line drives.
Help Defense	—	Defensive Concepts	Secondary defenders rotate to stop dribble penetration.	Protects the paint when the on-ball defender is beaten and relies on communication.
Zone Defense	—	Defensive Concepts	Scheme where defenders guard areas instead of specific players.	Disrupts drives, invites outside shots, and changes rebounding responsibilities.
Full-Court Press	—	Defensive Concepts	Defensive pressure applied the entire length of the floor after a made basket or dead ball.	Forces turnovers, speeds the pace, and can fatigue both teams late in games.
Rim Protector	—	Roles & Personnel	Player who specializes in contesting shots at the basket.	Anchors the defense by blocking or altering attempts near the rim.
Stretch Four	—	Roles & Personnel	Power forward who spaces the floor with perimeter shooting.	Pulls opposing bigs out of the paint to open driving lanes.
Three-and-D	3&D	Roles & Personnel	Wing player prized for three-point shooting and perimeter defense.	Fits next to stars by spacing the floor and guarding top scorers.
Sixth Man	—	Roles & Personnel	Top reserve who provides starter-level impact off the bench.	Often leads the second unit's scoring and pace.
Two-Way Player	—	Roles & Personnel	Contributes effectively on both offense and defense.	Trusted in closing lineups thanks to versatility.
Two-for-One	—	Game Strategy	End-of-period strategy to get two offensive trips for one by the opponent.	Shoot quickly within the clock window to ensure the final possession.
Spanish Pick-and-Roll	—	Game Strategy	Three-player variation where a back screen is set on the roller after the initial pick.	Punishes drop coverage by forcing defenders to navigate two screens at once.
Double Drag	—	Game Strategy	Two staggered ball screens in transition, usually with a big and a shooter.	Opens downhill lanes early in the clock and sets up drive-and-kick reads.
Hack-a	—	Rules & Situations	Intentional foul on a poor free throw shooter to send them to the line.	Used to disrupt rhythm or exploit a low percentage at the stripe.
Clear Path Foul	—	Rules & Situations	Foul from behind on a fast break with no defenders ahead of the ball.	Results in free throws and retained possession for the offense.
Hand-Checking	—	Rules & Situations	Using hands or forearms to impede a ball handler's movement on the perimeter.	Once legal, now restricted by NBA rules to encourage freedom of movement.
Flagrant 1	FF1	Foul Types	Unnecessary contact judged as non-excessive; player remains in the game.	Leads to two free throws plus possession for the offended team.
Flagrant 2	FF2	Foul Types	Unnecessary and excessive contact that is deemed hostile or dangerous.	Carries two free throws, possession, and automatic ejection for the offender.
Transition Take Foul	—	Foul Types	Stopping a fast break from behind or the side without a play on the ball.	Since 2022-23 it triggers one free throw and the ball plus any transition scoring opportunity.
Away-From-The-Play Foul	AFTP	Foul Types	Intentional foul committed away from the ball before the inbound pass is released.	Awards one free throw plus possession to deter late-game off-ball grabbing on inbound plays.
Double Technical Foul	Double T	Foul Types	Simultaneous technicals called on opposing players or benches for the same incident.	No free throws awarded; counts toward each participant’s ejection tally.
Charging Foul	—	Foul Types	Offensive player barrels into a legal defender who has established position.	Results in a turnover; often drawn by defenders who plant outside the restricted area.
Blocking Foul	—	Foul Types	Defender fails to establish legal guarding position before contact with the dribbler.	Common block/charge judgment that awards free throws if in the bonus.
Shooting Foul	—	Foul Types	Defensive foul committed while the shooter is in the act of shooting.	Awards free throws based on shot type—two, three, or potential and-one.
Personal Foul	PF	Foul Types	Standard illegal contact against an opponent that counts toward the player's foul total.	Also adds to the team foul count for the period once the limit is reached.
Double-Double	—	Advanced Stats	Player records double digits in two statistical categories in a single game.	Common combinations include points with rebounds or assists.
Triple-Double	—	Advanced Stats	Player records double digits in three statistical categories.	Usually points, rebounds, and assists showing all-around impact.
Usage Rate	USG%	Advanced Stats	Estimate of possessions ending with a player by shot, free throws, or turnovers.	Shows how much of the offense flows through the player.
True Shooting Percentage	TS%	Advanced Stats	Efficiency metric that combines field goals, three-pointers, and free throws.	Adjusts for shot value to compare scorers on equal footing.
Three-Point Field Goal	3PT	Advanced Stats	Made shot taken from beyond the three-point arc, worth three points.	Tracked as 3PT in box scores and central to modern spacing strategies.
Player Efficiency Rating	PER	Advanced Stats	John Hollinger's per-minute productivity metric normalized to 15.	Summarizes box score impact so players can be compared quickly.
Plus-Minus	+/-	Advanced Stats	Score differential while a player is on the floor.	Reflects team performance with the player in the lineup.
Defensive Rating	DRtg	Advanced Stats	Points allowed per 100 possessions for a player or team.	Lower numbers indicate stronger defense and better containment.
Pace	—	Advanced Stats	Number of possessions a team uses per 48 minutes.	Higher pace means faster tempo and more total possessions.
Transition Defense	—	Defensive Concepts	Team ability to slow opponents after turnovers or missed shots.	Requires sprinting back, talking, and stopping the ball early.
Effective Field Goal Percentage	eFG%	Advanced Stats	Adjusts field-goal percentage by giving made threes extra weight.	Formula: (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) ÷ FGA; compares overall shooting efficiency.
Steal	STL	Advanced Stats	Defensive player legally takes the ball away, ending the opponent's possession.	Often triggers fast breaks and is tracked individually and as a team total.
Block	BLK	Advanced Stats	Defender deflects a shot on its way to the basket without committing a foul.	Protects the rim, can start fast breaks, and is logged as an individual stat.
Assist	AST	Advanced Stats	Pass that directly leads to a made basket, as ruled by the statistician.	Highlights playmaking value, fuels ball movement, and features in assist-to-turnover metrics.
Box Plus/Minus	BPM	Advanced Stats	Estimates player impact per 100 possessions relative to league average using box score data.	Positive BPM signals above-average production after adjusting for position and pace.
Point Guard	PG	Player Positions	Primary ball handler who initiates the offense and organizes teammates.	Brings the ball up, calls sets, and keeps the pace under control.
Shooting Guard	SG	Player Positions	Wing scorer relied on for perimeter shooting and secondary creation.	Works off screens for jumpers and attacks closeouts to score.
Small Forward	SF	Player Positions	Versatile wing who can defend multiple spots and score at every level.	Balances slashing, spot-up shooting, and perimeter defense responsibilities.
Power Forward	PF	Player Positions	Frontcourt player blending interior strength with mid-range or stretch skills.	Sets screens, battles on the glass, and finishes around the rim.
Center	C	Player Positions	Tallest player anchoring rim protection, rebounding, and interior scoring.	Patrols the paint, defends pick-and-rolls, and finishes lobs or post touches.
Flagrant Foul	FF	Foul Types	Excessive or unnecessary contact classified as level one or two.	Awards free throws and the ball; a Flagrant 2 also ejects the offender.
Technical Foul	TF	Foul Types	Administrative foul assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct or procedural violations.	Results in one free throw and the ball; repeated offenses can lead to ejection.
Loose Ball Foul	—	Foul Types	Contact foul committed while both teams battle for a loose ball.	Often whistled during rebounding scrums or long loose-ball chases.
Offensive Foul	OF	Foul Types	Illegal contact by the team in control of the ball, such as charges or push-offs.	Results in a turnover; free throws are not awarded unless the defense is in the bonus.
Paint	—	Court Zones	Rectangular lane in front of the hoop governed by three-second rules.	Post players operate here while defenses collapse to protect it.
Restricted Area	—	Court Zones	Semi-circle under the rim where defenders cannot draw charges.	Guides block/charge rulings on drives to the basket.
Nail	—	Court Zones	Midpoint on the free-throw line marked by a nail securing the court.	Common help-defense spot and reference for offensive spacing in NBA schemes.
Perimeter	—	Court Zones	Area outside the lane extending to and beyond the three-point arc.	Guards and wings space here for catch-and-shoot chances and drives.
Three-Point Line	3PT Line	Court Zones	Arc that designates shots worth three points in NBA play.	Stepping on the line converts attempts into two points and impacts spacing.
Baseline	—	Court Zones	Endline running underneath each basket on the court.	Teams inbound from here after made baskets and run set plays along it.
Backboard	—	Court Zones	Rectangular board behind the rim that provides a surface for bank shots.	Holds the rim, supports the shot clock, and serves as a visual target for layups.
Free-Throw Line	—	Court Zones	Line 15 feet from the backboard where free throws are attempted.	Also called the charity stripe; dictates spacing for elbow sets and inbounds plays.
Half-Court Line	—	Court Zones	Divides the court into frontcourt and backcourt and determines over-and-back violations.	Used for eight-second violations and as the pressing line in defensive schemes.
Sideline	—	Court Zones	Boundary lines running the length of the court on each side.	Teams inbound from here, and players must stay inbounds while dribbling up the floor.
Eurostep	—	Signature Moves	Two-step gather that shifts laterally to evade rim protectors.	Popular finish popularized by Manu Ginóbili, now common on downhill drives.
Jump Shot	—	Signature Moves	Shooter elevates off the floor before releasing the ball.	Foundation of perimeter scoring, covering pull-ups and catch-and-shoot looks.
Set Shot	—	Signature Moves	Shooter releases the ball from a stationary stance without jumping.	Used on catch-and-shoot threes or free throws where balance matters more than elevation.
Floater	—	Signature Moves	High-arcing runner lofted over rim protectors from the lane.	Counters shot blockers when driving and is a staple for smaller guards.
Hook Shot	—	Signature Moves	One-handed sweeping release where the shooter's body shields the defender.	Effective in the post against taller defenders; the sky hook made it iconic.
Step-Back Jumper	—	Signature Moves	Shot created by hopping backward to create separation from the defender.	Favored by elite scorers like James Harden to launch open threes.
Fadeaway Jumper	—	Signature Moves	Shooter leans backward on release to keep the defender from contesting.	Signature of Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant, demanding balance and touch.
Pick-and-Pop	PnP	Signature Moves	Screener fades to the perimeter instead of rolling to the basket after a pick.	Stretches opposing bigs to defend jump shooters at the arc.
Give-and-Go	—	Signature Moves	Passer dishes to a teammate then cuts to receive a quick return pass.	Fundamental motion concept that punishes ball-watching defenses.
Dribble Hand-Off	DHO	Signature Moves	Ball handler hands the ball to a teammate while dribbling to ignite the play.	Sets up quick-hitting looks for shooters or rollers without stopping the dribble.
Spain Pick-and-Roll	Spain PnR	Game Strategy	Three-man pick-and-roll with a back screen placed on the roller defender.	Creates confusion and open threes or lobs whenever the defense miscommunicates.
Ghost Screen	—	Game Strategy	Fake ball screen where the screener slips away before making contact.	Stretches the defense and frees shooters when defenders expect a solid screen.
Short Roll	—	Game Strategy	Screener stops around the free-throw line to receive the ball instead of rolling to the rim.	Lets bigs facilitate with floaters or kick-outs when the defense traps the handler.
Drop Coverage	—	Defensive Concepts	Pick-and-roll scheme where the big retreats toward the paint to protect the rim.	Invites mid-range pull-ups but keeps lob threats and drives under control.
High-Low Action	—	Offensive Plays	High-post passer feeds a teammate sealing deep near the rim.	Punishes fronting defenses and highlights the size advantage of two-big lineups.
Dunker Spot	—	Court Zones	Baseline area beside the paint where cutters wait for dump-off passes.	Provides easy dump-offs when help rotates and keeps the rim defense honest.
Back-to-Back	—	Game & Season Context	Two games scheduled on consecutive days for the same team.	Coaches monitor minutes and recovery closely to limit fatigue and injury risk.
Play-In Tournament	—	Game & Season Context	Mini-bracket where seeds 7–10 battle for the final playoff spots.	Features single- and double-elimination games that decide the final two seeds.
Regular Season	—	Game & Season Context	Eighty-two game schedule that determines standings before the playoffs.	Sets seeding, awards races, and statistical leaderboards for the league.
Load Management	—	Game & Season Context	Strategic rest plan that reduces a star player's games or minutes to preserve health.	Implemented across the regular season to prevent injuries and keep players fresh for playoffs.
NBA Finals	—	Game & Season Context	Championship series between the Eastern and Western Conference winners.	Played in a best-of-seven format with alternating home-court advantage.
Best-of-Seven Series	—	Game & Season Context	Playoff matchup where the first team to four wins advances.	Later rounds use the 2-2-1-1-1 home layout to balance travel and fairness.
Starting Five	—	Team Building	Primary lineup that opens games and sets the team’s tone.	Usually blends playmaking, shooting, and size for balance.
Small-Ball Lineup	—	Team Building	Group built with quicker, shorter players to emphasize speed and spacing.	Sacrifices size to switch defensively and launch threes in transition.
Rotation	—	Team Building	Group of players a coach trusts for regular minutes in a game.	Tightens to eight or nine players in the playoffs to maximize cohesion.
Franchise Player	—	Team Building	Cornerstone player viewed as the long-term face of the organization.	Often earns max contracts and shapes the team's identity through leadership.
Superteam	—	Team Building	Roster built around multiple All-Star or MVP-caliber players forming a powerhouse lineup.	Formed via free agency or trades to chase championships with elite talent concentrated on one team.
Dynasty	—	Team Building	Franchise that wins multiple championships within a short era.	Examples include the 1990s Bulls and the 2010s Warriors dynasties.
Expansion Team	—	Team Building	New franchise added to the league through expansion.	Builds a roster via expansion draft picks, trades, and future selections.
Atlanta Hawks	ATL	Team Building	NBA franchise based in Atlanta competing in the Eastern Conference Southeast Division.	Home court is State Farm Arena; joined the league in 1949 as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.
Boston Celtics	BOS	Team Building	Historic Boston franchise with the most NBA championships, part of the Atlantic Division.	Plays at TD Garden and is renowned for the parquet floor and rivalries with the Lakers.
Brooklyn Nets	BKN	Team Building	Brooklyn-based Atlantic Division team playing home games at Barclays Center.	Originated as the New Jersey Americans; relocated to Brooklyn in 2012.
Charlotte Hornets	CHA	Team Building	Franchise in Charlotte, North Carolina competing in the Southeast Division.	Returned to the Hornets name in 2014 after a stint as the Bobcats.
Chicago Bulls	CHI	Team Building	Central Division franchise famed for the Michael Jordan era championships.	Plays at United Center and features the iconic charging bull logo.
Cleveland Cavaliers	CLE	Team Building	Cleveland franchise in the Central Division that won its first title in 2016.	Home arena is Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse; famed for LeBron James-led runs.
Detroit Pistons	DET	Team Building	Detroit-based Central Division franchise with a blue-collar identity.	Home venue is Little Caesars Arena; famed for the Bad Boys era titles.
Indiana Pacers	IND	Team Building	Indianapolis franchise rooted in ABA history, competing in the Central Division.	Home floor is Gainbridge Fieldhouse; famed for Reggie Miller’s clutch shooting.
Miami Heat	MIA	Team Building	Miami franchise in the Southeast Division known for its “Heat Culture.”	Plays at Kaseya Center and won titles in 2006, 2012, and 2013.
Milwaukee Bucks	MIL	Team Building	Central Division team powered by Giannis Antetokounmpo in recent seasons.	Home games are at Fiserv Forum; champions in 1971 and 2021.
New York Knicks	NYK	Team Building	Original NBA franchise playing at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.	Known for passionate fan base and rivalries with fellow Atlantic Division teams.
Orlando Magic	ORL	Team Building	Southeast Division franchise based in Orlando, Florida.	Reached the NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009 with stars like Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard.
Philadelphia 76ers	PHI	Team Building	Atlantic Division franchise known for “The Process” rebuild and rich history.	Play at Wells Fargo Center; champions in 1955, 1967, and 1983.
Toronto Raptors	TOR	Team Building	Canada’s lone NBA franchise competing in the Atlantic Division.	Home arena is Scotiabank Arena; captured their first title in 2019.
Washington Wizards	WAS	Team Building	Washington, D.C. franchise that plays in the Southeast Division.	Formerly known as the Bullets; home games at Capital One Arena.
Dallas Mavericks	DAL	Team Building	Western Conference franchise based in Dallas, Texas, playing in the Southwest Division.	Home arena is American Airlines Center; won the 2011 NBA title led by Dirk Nowitzki.
Denver Nuggets	DEN	Team Building	Rocky Mountain franchise competing in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.	Captured their first championship in 2023 behind Nikola Jokić’s MVP play.
Golden State Warriors	GSW	Team Building	Bay Area dynasty team competing in the Pacific Division.	Play at Chase Center; Steph Curry-led groups won titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
Houston Rockets	HOU	Team Building	Southwest Division franchise with a rich history of star big men.	Play at Toyota Center; won back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995 with Hakeem Olajuwon.
Los Angeles Clippers	LAC	Team Building	Pacific Division club sharing Los Angeles market with the Lakers.	Moving into the Intuit Dome in 2024; famed for the “Lob City” era.
Los Angeles Lakers	LAL	Team Building	Iconic Los Angeles franchise tied for most NBA championships, part of the Pacific Division.	Play at Crypto.com Arena; banner years include the Showtime 80s and Kobe-Shaq era.
Memphis Grizzlies	MEM	Team Building	Gritty Southwest Division club based in Memphis, Tennessee.	Home arena is FedExForum; the “Grit and Grind” era defined their identity.
Minnesota Timberwolves	MIN	Team Building	Minneapolis-based team in the Northwest Division known as the Wolves.	Target Center is their home; drafted Kevin Garnett first overall in 1995.
New Orleans Pelicans	NOP	Team Building	Southwest Division franchise representing New Orleans, Louisiana.	Home arena is Smoothie King Center; rebranded from the Hornets to Pelicans in 2013.
Oklahoma City Thunder	OKC	Team Building	Thunder franchise in Oklahoma City competing in the Northwest Division.	Relocated from Seattle in 2008; known for drafting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.
Phoenix Suns	PHX	Team Building	Pacific Division franchise playing in the desert city of Phoenix, Arizona.	Home court is Footprint Center; featured runs to the Finals in 1976, 1993, and 2021.
Portland Trail Blazers	POR	Team Building	Northwest Division team from Portland, Oregon, nicknamed the Blazers.	Play at Moda Center; won the 1977 championship led by Bill Walton.
Sacramento Kings	SAC	Team Building	Pacific Division franchise based in California’s capital city of Sacramento.	Play at Golden 1 Center; ended a 16-year playoff drought in 2023 with a Beam-lit celebration.
San Antonio Spurs	SAS	Team Building	San Antonio dynasty team with five championships under coach Gregg Popovich.	Home is Frost Bank Center; famed core included Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili.
Utah Jazz	UTA	Team Building	Salt Lake City franchise in the Northwest Division with a passionate fan base.	Play at Delta Center; Malone and Stockton-led squads made back-to-back Finals in the 1990s.