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Glossary

The technical sports terms used in analyses, explained simply.

StatisticTennis

Ace

An ace is a legal serve that wins the point without the receiver touching the ball.

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StatisticBasketball

Assists (AST)

An assist is credited for a pass that directly leads to a made basket.

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StatisticBasketball

Basketball Ratings

Basketball ratings express offensive or defensive efficiency on a standard possessions basis.

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StatisticBasketball

Blocks (BLK)

A block is credited when a defender legally deflects an opponent's field-goal attempt.

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StatisticTennis

Break

A break occurs when the receiving player wins the opponent's service game.

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StatisticTennis

Break Points (BP)

A break point is a point on which the receiver can win the opponent's service game.

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StatisticTennis

Double Fault (DF)

A double fault occurs when the server misses both service attempts and loses the point.

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StatisticBasketball

Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%)

Effective Field Goal Percentage adjusts field-goal percentage to account for the extra value of three-pointers.

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StatisticFootball

Expected Goals (xG)

Expected Goals estimates the probability that a shot will become a goal based on the quality of the chance.

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StatisticBasketball

Field Goals (FG)

Field Goals are two-point or three-point shots attempted during play, excluding free throws.

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StatisticTennis

First Serve

The first serve is a player's first service attempt at the start of a point.

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StatisticBasketball

Free Throws (FT)

A free throw is an uncontested one-point shot awarded after certain fouls or penalties.

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StatisticTennis

Hold

A hold occurs when a player wins a game in which they are serving.

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StatisticBasketball

Pace

Pace estimates the number of possessions played, usually expressed over a standard game length.

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StatisticBasketball

Personal Fouls (PF)

Personal Fouls count the illegal contact fouls charged to a player or team.

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StatisticBasketball

Points + Rebounds + Assists (PRA)

PRA is the sum of a player's points, rebounds and assists in a game.

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StatisticBasketball

Points per Possession (PPP)

Points per Possession is the average number of points scored on each possession.

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StatisticBasketball

Points per Shot (PPS)

Points per Shot measures the average scoring return for each field-goal attempt.

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StatisticBasketball

Rebounds (REB)

A rebound is gained when a player or team recovers the ball after a missed shot.

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StatisticTennis

Return of Serve

The return of serve is the receiver's first shot in response to the opponent's serve.

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StatisticTennis

Second Serve

The second serve is the final service attempt after a first-serve fault.

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StatisticBasketball

Steals (STL)

A steal is credited when a defender legally takes the ball and causes an opponent's turnover.

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StatisticBasketball

Three-Pointers (3P)

Three-pointers are field goals made from beyond the three-point line and are worth three points.

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StatisticBasketball

True Shooting Percentage (TS%)

True Shooting Percentage measures scoring efficiency across field goals, three-pointers and free throws.

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StatisticBasketball

Turnovers (TOV)

A turnover occurs when the offence loses possession before completing its attack.

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