Possessions
An estimate of how many times a team had the ball, built from box score counts since the game does not log them.
Formula
possessions = FGA - OREB + TOV + 0.44 x FTAA possession ends in a shot that is not rebounded by the shooting team, a turnover, or free throws. Counting those from the box score gives a close estimate, and the two teams' counts in a game are within a possession or two of each other.
Possessions are the denominator for every fair team comparison. Points per game rewards fast teams; points per possession does not.
The common mistake
The 0.44 is a league-wide average. For one game it can be off by a possession either way, so do not read single-game differences closely.
Where to get it
Related
Possessions from the API
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