Or the number that can define each NBA team's 2026-27 season.

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A habit that has become a tradition

Before each season, it's worth repeating a simple exercise: choose a number from different metrics and statistical categories that reveal something essential about each of the NBA's 30 seasons. The method has worked before: last year, anticipating Jalen Johnson's explosion in Atlanta, Giannis Antetokounmpo's difficulties with the Milwaukee Bucks in his final season, and the Portland Trail Blazers' worst losing record in the league.

Below, the numbers that help you understand or what to expect over the next ten months.

O que os dados mostram, time by time

The Atlanta Hawks: 108.6 After the All-Star Game, the Hawks gave up only 108.6 points per 100 possessions, second best scoring in the NBA behind just the Oklahoma City Thunder. No year all, defense finished in 10th place and this before the arrival of Luguentz Dort, one of the league's most intense perimeter defenders. There is no doubt that Dort and Dyson Daniels can handle a tough attack by playing together, but the duo with Nickeil Alexander-Walker can form one of NBA's strongest defensive units.

Boston Celtics: four In Joe Mazzulla's four seasons at the helm, the Celtics finished in the top-five of both offensive and defensive ratings, second to Cleaning the Glass. Only three teams did so during that period: The Thunder from 2023-24, the Thunder from 2024-25 and the San Antonio Spurs from 2025-26.

The Brooklyn Nets are at 72% . Egor Demin was the Nets' best rookie last season: 10.3 points per game, good utilization in assist-to-loss ratio and 38.5% of our triples.

The Charlotte Hornets: 11.6 With LaMelo Ball on the court, the Hornets scored 125.0 points per 100 possessions (97th percentile of the league). Without him, or number dropped to 113.4 (36th percentil). A difference of 11.6 points was second major among players rotation, behind only Nikola Jokic (15.2) and à front Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11.0) the first two do MVP . After a surprise trade from LaMello will not see Coby White, Konueppel and Brandon Miller need to take charge.

The Chicago Bulls are 42 . The combined ages of Matas Buzelis (who will be 22 next month, before the premiere) and Caleb Wilson (20).

The Cleveland Cavaliers: 14.2 The defense dropped to 15th place after four consecutive seasons out of the top 10, and a three-point line explains: opponents converted 14.2 triples per game, fifth worst mark in the league. In 2025-26, the Cavs hit only 10 more triplets than their rivals; in 2024-25, they had been 199 more. Part is chance (or adversario percentage was also or fifth highest), part is throwing diet: time fell to 22nd on the rate of three-pointer attempts.

Dallas Mavericks: three Cooper Flagg turned 20 years old in December. Only three players made an All-NBA team at that age: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and former Maverick Luka Doncic. After finishing the season as the league's Rookie of the Year, Flagg had a chance to enter this group e, se não entrar, não é vergonha nenhuma: Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony e Tracy McGrady debuted in the NBA but later, already this century.

Denver Nuggets: four The Nuggets have the second-most valuable player in the league, behind only Victor Wembanyama. Peyton Watson was traded to Cleveland, and Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway Jr. also left Denver.

The Detroit Pistons: 6 Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren scored six goals in three games last season (Thompson, 6-for-24; never attempted a double-double). Daí Detroit finished 29th in assists and 28th in points. As hirings of Isaiah Joe e John Collins try to compensate, but while the youngsters must not open up space, names like Ron Holland II (25% of three) can be sacrificed.

The Golden State Warriors: 2019 The 2018-19 season was Kevin Durant's fifth consecutive Finals and, to date, the last time that the Warriors finished in the top-10 in both offensive and defensive ratings.

Houston Rockets: 37.4% of the season. The Rockets led the NBA with 37.4% of their own offensive rebounds a higher rate than at any time since 2003, according to Stathead. Faith that sustained an attack without great virtues: 7o in offense rating, despite bad pitches, few free throws and many losses of possession.

The Indiana Pacers: 487 When Tyrese Haliburton enters the starting lineup in New Orleans, he's not at home, but 487 days have passed since his last game (the Game 7 of the 2025 Finals). The Pacers season depends on how they recover from a torn Achilles tendon.

The Los Angeles Clippers are 30 . With an average age of 30.0, the Clippers became the oldest team in the league last season, as they were in 2024-25 and 2023-24, and the second-oldest in 2022-23.

Where are we ?

The 2026-27 pre-season drew a league of opposing histories: young teams betting on everything in development (Chicago, Detroit, Brooklyn), candidates adjusting defensive details (Atlanta, Cleveland) and veterans trying to stretch the cycle (LA Clippers).