Who Has the Best Defense in the NBA?

15 min read
Jul 22, 2024, 9:39 PM
Author
Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer
Fact checked by:
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Editor-in-Chief
Last Updated: Sep 12, 2024, 1:39 PM

Understanding Team Defense

NBA Defense

Playing tough defense often leads to team success in the NBA. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Team defense is a crucial aspect of the NBA game that can significantly impact a team's success.

This guide explores defensive metrics, particularly defensive rating, and examines the top defensive teams in the NBA, both in the current season and historically.

Defensive Metrics

Defensive rating is a key metric used to evaluate team defense in the NBA. It measures the number of points a team allows per 100 possessions. This statistic provides a more accurate representation of defensive performance than points allowed per game, as it accounts for the pace of play.

Defensive rating provides a comprehensive view of a team's defensive performance by considering various factors that contribute to stopping opponents from scoring.

Other important defensive metrics include:

  • Opponent Field Goal Percentage: The percentage of shots made by opposing teams.
  • Blocks per Game: The average number of blocked shots a team records per game.
  • Steals per Game: The average number of steals a team records per game.
  • Defensive Rebounding Percentage: The percentage of available defensive rebounds a team secures.
  • Opponent Turnover Ratio: The number of turnovers forced per 100 opponent possessions.

Calculating Defensive Rating

The formula for defensive rating is:

  • Defensive Rating = (Opponent Points / Possessions) × 100

To calculate possessions, the following formula is used:

  • Possessions = 0.5 × ((Team FGA + 0.4 × Team FTA - 1.07 × Team OREB + Team TOV) + (Opponent FGA + 0.4 × Opponent FTA - 1.07 × Opponent OREB + Opponent TOV))
  • FGA = Field Goal Attempts FTA = Free Throw Attempts OREB = Offensive Rebounds TOV = Turnovers

This calculation takes into account factors such as field goal attempts, free throws, rebounds, and turnovers to provide a comprehensive view of a team's defensive performance.

Top Defensive Teams in the NBA: Top Defensive Rating

The teams with the best defensive ratings are often considered to have the best defense in the NBA. These teams excel at limiting their opponents' scoring opportunities and stealing the ball.

Previous Season Standouts (2023-2024)

During the 2023-2024 season, some of the top defensive teams based on defensive rating included:

  1. The Cleveland Cavaliers — With Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen anchoring their defense the Cavs were known for their strength on the interior and shot-blocking ability.
  2. The Minnesota Timberwolves — Benefiting from the defensive prowess of players like Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves were a nightmare to score on.
  3. The Boston Celtics — The NBA's best team has consistently been among the top defensive teams in recent years.
  4. The Orlando Magic — This young, developing, team took a significant step forward on the defensive side of the ball.
  5. The New York Knicks — One of the NBA's best stories of the season demonstrated a strong defensive identity under coach Tom Thibodeau.

It's important to note that defensive rankings can fluctuate throughout the season as teams adjust their strategies and deal with injuries or roster changes.

NBA Defensive Rating

Historically Exceptional Defenses

Several teams have set the standard for exceptional defense in NBA history:

2003-2004 San Antonio Spurs

Led by Tim Duncan, this team posted a defensive rating of 94.1.

2007-2008 Boston Celtics

With Kevin Garnett anchoring the defense, they achieved a defensive rating of 98.9.

1995-1996 Chicago Bulls

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen helped this team reach a defensive rating of 101.8.

2003-2004 Detroit Pistons

Known as the "Goin' to Work" Pistons, they had a defensive rating of 95.4.

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If the 2003-04 San Antonio Spurs had beaten the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs it could've led to an NBA Finals between two of the greatest defenses in modern history.

These teams set benchmarks for defensive excellence that current NBA teams strive to match or surpass.

Factors Contributing to Strong Team Defense

Several elements contribute to a team's defensive success:

  • Individual Defensive Skills: Players with strong one-on-one defensive abilities who can block the ball, grab rebounds, and force mistakes significantly impact a team's overall defense.
  • Team Communication: Effective communication between teammates on the same page helps teams coordinate their efforts and react quickly to offensive movements on the defensive end.
  • Defensive Schemes: Coaches implement various defensive strategies, such as man-to-man, zone, or switching defenses, to disrupt opposing offenses.
  • Rim Protection: Teams with skilled shot-blockers can deter opponents from attacking the paint and force more difficult outside shots.
  • Perimeter Defense: Strong perimeter defenders can limit three-point opportunities and disrupt offensive flow.
  • Defensive Rebounding: Securing defensive rebounds limits second-chance opportunities for opponents.
  • Forcing Turnovers: Teams that can generate steals create additional scoring opportunities for themselves in a way that ends possessions for their opponents.

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No one single factor determines a team's success on defense.

Impact of Defensive Rating on Team Success

A strong defensive rating often correlates with overall team success. Teams with top defensive ratings frequently find themselves in the NBA playoffs contention and are more likely to make deep postseason runs.

For example, the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics, led by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, combined a league-leading defensive rating with a potent offense to win the NBA Finals. Their defensive prowess was a key factor in their success throughout the regular season and playoffs.

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The idea that defense wins championships is something of a cliche, but it's been true for a number of teams — like the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics.

Defensive Rating and Player Evaluation

While defensive rating is primarily a team statistic, it can also be used to evaluate individual players' defensive impact. Players who consistently contribute to teams with strong defensive ratings are often considered valuable defensive assets.

For instance, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has been praised for his defensive versatility and impact on his team's overall defensive performance. His ability to guard multiple positions and coordinate the team's defense has been a significant factor in the Warriors' success.

Challenges in Measuring Defense

Despite the usefulness of defensive rating, measuring defensive impact remains challenging. Some factors that complicate defensive evaluation include:

  • Context: A player's defensive rating can be influenced by their teammates and the overall team strategy.
  • Offensive Role: Players with high offensive workloads may have less energy for defense, potentially impacting their defensive statistics.
  • Matchups: Defensive specialists often guard the opponent's best players, which can affect their individual defensive metrics.
  • Intangibles: Some defensive contributions, such as altering shots or providing help defense, may not be fully captured in traditional statistics.

Defensive Rating and NBA Betting

Understanding defensive rating can be valuable for those interested in NBA betting. 

Many NBA sportsbooks offer various betting options related to team and player performance.

For example:

DraftKings offers markets on whether a team will hold their opponent under a certain point total.

FanDuel provides over/under bets on a team's total blocks or steals in a game.

BetMGM allows bettors to wager on whether teams will be held below certain point totals in the first half of a game.

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Bettors who understand defensive rating and other defensive metrics may have an edge when making informed wagers on NBA games.

It's important to note that while defensive rating can be a useful tool for bettors, it should be considered alongside other factors such as injuries, matchups, and recent form when making betting decisions.

Improving Team Defensive Rating

NBA teams employ various strategies to improve their defensive rating:

  1. Player Development: Investing in individual defensive skills through targeted training and coaching.
  2. Strategic Acquisitions: Adding players known for their defensive prowess through trades or free agency.
  3. Tactical Adjustments: Implementing new defensive schemes or adjusting existing ones to better suit the team's personnel.
  4. Emphasizing Defensive Rebounding: Focusing on securing defensive rebounds to limit opponents' second-chance opportunities.
  5. Increasing Defensive Intensity: Encouraging players to maintain high energy and focus on the defensive end throughout the game.
  6. Video Analysis: Using game footage to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement in the team's defensive performance.

The Evolution of NBA Defense

NBA defense has evolved significantly over the years, influenced by rule changes, offensive trends, and strategic innovations. Some key developments include:

  • Increased emphasis on three-point defense as the league has shifted towards more perimeter-oriented offenses.
  • The rise of switch-heavy defenses to counter pick-and-roll offenses and maintain defensive flexibility.
  • Adaptation to the removal of hand-checking rules, which has changed how perimeter players are defended.
  • Greater utilization of analytics to inform defensive strategies and player rotations.

These changes have impacted how defensive rating is interpreted and have led to adjustments in defensive strategies across the league.

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Bulky rim protectors used to be among the most important defenders in the NBA, but positional versatility and lateral quickness has become more important in recent seasons.

Conclusion

Defensive rating is a crucial metric for understanding team defense in the NBA. It provides valuable insights into a team's ability to stop opponents from scoring and can be a strong indicator of overall team success. 

While the statistic has its limitations, it remains an essential tool for evaluating team performance, informing strategy, and even guiding betting decisions.

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While defensive metrics can inform betting decisions, it's important to understand their limitations. There's no foolproof NBA betting strategy.

As the NBA continues to evolve, so too will the strategies teams employ to improve their defensive rating. Understanding these metrics and their implications is crucial for fans, analysts, and bettors alike in fully appreciating the complexities of NBA basketball.

By examining both current standouts and historically exceptional defenses, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the impact of strong team defense on NBA success. 

Whether you're a casual fan, a serious analyst, or an interested bettor, keeping an eye on defensive rating can provide valuable insights into team performance and potential outcomes in the NBA.

NBA Defensive Rating FAQ

Understanding NBA Team Defense
How is team defense measured in the NBA?
Key Defensive Metrics
What are the essential metrics for evaluating NBA defense?
Calculating Defensive Rating
How is the defensive rating calculated?
Top Defensive Teams
Which teams have the best defensive ratings?
Historical Defensive Teams
Which teams are historically known for their exceptional defense?
Improving Team Defense
How can NBA teams improve their defensive rating?
Defensive Rating in NBA Betting
How is defensive rating useful for NBA betting?
The Importance of Defensive Rating
Why is understanding defensive rating important in the NBA?
Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer

Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.

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Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
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Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambling team.

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