Are your students talking about the
@NBA Finals? 🏆
🏀Have them look out for the number of 3-point shots taken in each game!
The “3-point revolution” has reshaped professional basketball strategy over the past couple of decades.
Why? Mid-range shots (2-pointers) are made at only a slightly higher rate than 3-point shots, but 3-point attempts can be worth more when you calculate expected points: probability of scoring × point value.
Teams realized that if their players can turn some of their mid-range shots into 3s, they will score much more efficiently and win more games.
Over time, the average number of 3-point attempts per game has climbed, even while 3-point accuracy has stayed relatively steady at around 33%!
ALT A person in athletic wear is holding a basketball, preparing to shoot. The text reads "Game Strategy is Math" and shows a table of average 3-point shots completed per game: 1990 (2.2), 2000 (4.5), 2010 (6.5), 2022 (12.3).