Analysis: Offensive and defensive efficiency

The graph above places each team logo based on how far above or below the ABA League average they are in offensive and defensive points per possession. It gives an overview of which teams have stood out the most three-quarters of the way through the year. With many teams making roster moves in recent weeks and the race for playoff seeding heating up, the first thing that stands out about the graph above is much is left to be decided.

- Crvena zvezda mts remains the clear-cut frontrunner, separating themselves from the rest of the ABA League with their stifling defense, but little of the playoff picture is clear after that. Cedevita, Budućnost VOLI, and Partizan NIS have the inside track to the postseason at this point, but the order they will finish in is anyone’s guess.

- Zvezda’s defense has been outstanding this season. Of the 11 play types Synergy Sports Technology tacks, they rank 1st in efficiency against spot ups, isolations, rolls to the rim, and post ups. They remain on pace to become one of the five most efficient defensive teams this decade. Their only weakness has been defending after timeout situations, as they rank last in ABA League allowing a shocking 1.038 points per possession. If they can improve on that, they still have to a chance to finish as the league’s top defensive unit of all-time.

- The race for the 2nd seed is extremely tight right now. Budućnost and Cedevita are separated by only 0.002 points per possession offensively and 0.09 points per possession defensively. Partizan remains in the mix as well but faces the most difficult remaining schedule of those three teams. Cedevita has arguably the easiest path to the second seed.

- The competition to avoid the relegation playoffs is nearly just as tight, as the middle of the pack in the ABA League is extremely concentrated. The 6 teams ranked between 6th and 11th in the standing have either 5 or 6 wins and a scoring differential of between -65 and -51. That is a very tightly contest spot in the standings as the graph above suggests.

- The top of the standings has held steady for much of the season, but there is still time for another team to make a run at entering the playoff picture. There are no shortage of things to watch as every game becomes more important with so much at stake in the final rounds of the regular season.

Insights and Statistics Provided by Synergy Sports Technology