Differences in Game-Related Statistics of Basketball Performance by Game Location for Men's Winning and Losing Teams

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify game-related statistics that differentiate winning and losing teams according to game location. The sample included 306 games of the 2004–2005 regular season of the Spanish professional men's league (ACB League). The independent variables were game location (home or away) and game result (win or loss). The game-related statistics registered were free throws (successful and unsuccessful), 2- and 3-point field goals (successful and unsuccessful), offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks, assists, fouls, steals, and turnovers. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done (one-way analysis of variance and discriminate analysis). The multivariate analysis showed that winning teams differ from losing teams in defensive rebounds ( SC = .42) and in assists ( SC = .38). Similarly, winning teams differ from losing teams when they play at home in defensive rebounds ( SC = .40) and in assists ( SC = .41). On the other hand, winning teams differ from losing teams when they play away in defensive rebounds ( SC = .44), assists ( SC = .30), successful 2-point field goals ( SC = .31), and unsuccessful 3-point field goals ( SC = –.35). Defensive rebounds and assists were the only game-related statistics common to all three analyses.