Defensive Rating (DRtg)
Points allowed per 100 possessions. Measures defensive efficiency independent of pace.
Full Definition
Defensive Rating calculates points allowed per 100 possessions. Lower is better — elite defenses hold opponents to fewer points per possession. For prop betting, the opposing team's DRtg is essential context. A player facing a bottom-5 defense (high DRtg) has a much better chance of hitting their over on points, while facing a top-5 defense means the under is more likely. Always check defense-vs-position rankings alongside overall DRtg.
What's a good Defensive Rating?
Below 108 is elite defense, 108-112 is above average, 112-115 is average, above 115 is poor.
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Related terms
Offensive Rating (ORtg)
Points scored per 100 possessions. Measures offensive efficiency independent of pace.
Pace
The number of possessions a team uses per 48 minutes. Higher pace means more scoring opportunities.
Net Rating
Offensive Rating minus Defensive Rating. The single best measure of overall team quality.
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