Possessions
A single offensive opportunity that ends in a shot attempt, free throw, or turnover. Total possessions in a game determine how many chances both teams get to score.
Like the number of hands dealt in poker — more hands means more opportunities for everyone at the table.
Why it matters
Possessions are the fundamental unit of basketball — every stat is ultimately a function of how many possessions occur and how they're used.
How DMP uses this
DMP estimates expected game possessions from team pace data to scale projections, recognizing that more possessions create more statistical opportunities across all categories.
Common mistake
Looking at total points without considering possessions — a 120-110 game in 105 possessions has a very different context than the same score in 90 possessions.