Analysis: Points per game scored

The average ABA League possession is worth 0.93 points per possession, but that number falls slightly in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, several players have been especially effective in the final period. 143 players have scored at least 1 point in the fourth quarter of a game this season, but only 15 players this season are scoring over 4 points per game.

Digging Deeper

Derek Needham and Milko Bjelica have combined to score 1.03 points per possession in the last ten minutes to keep Mornar competitive late in games. Much of their success can be traced to their shooting from the foul line. For most players, free throws play a key role in their fourth quarter scoring as opponents begin fouling when they are behind with a few minutes remaining, but Needham has also shot threes with good consistency down the stretch with Bjelica finishing well inside.

Stefan Djordjević by comparison has made few free throws late in games. His overall point production has been the result of his efforts inside. Shooting a remarkable 71% in the final period, Djordjević’s ability to stay active without the ball, use his physicality to create angles, and finish with soft touch has been impressive and is a big reason FMP has fared well in fourth quarters overall. The veteran big man ranks 4th in overall offensive efficiency among players using over 10 possessions per game as he’s having a strong year overall but he has done some of his best work rolling to the rim and posting up in the last 10 minutes of games.

Igokea ranks 8th in fourth quarter efficiency as a team, but Rashad Vaughn leads the ABA League in points per game scored in the last ten minutes by a significant margin and is averaging a massive 1.40 points per possession. Making jump shots in a variety of situations, Vaughn has been deadly from beyond the arc, but opportunistic attacking the rim in the waning moments for his team as well. His 7.0 fourth quarter points per game is the highest mark in the regional competition’s recent history. In most seasons the ABA League’s top player averages no more than 5.5. Vaughn has been on a historic pace.

Insights and Statistics Provided by Synergy Sports Technology