NBA 2018-19: Crazy uptick in scoring

#3 Rule changes

Rule changes have also had a large effect on the increased scoring. However, it's not the rule you're thinking of - the 14-second shot clock reset. Now, on an offensive rebound, the shot clock resets to 14 instead of 24. However, this has not had a very profound effect on scoring, since this only makes a difference during the final seconds of a game when the score is low, which is very rare.

The rule that does change things, however, is the emphasis on freedom of movement. Referees are calling more and more fouls on contact, even off-ball, allowing a lot less contact than before while defending a player. Players are no longer allowed to maintain contact while defending, which causes two things.

First, there are a lot more foul calls per game, leading to an increased number of free throws. Free throws essentially are free points for a team - with the shot clock off. While this does affect scoring, it is very little, since an extra couple of free throws a game can amount to a maximum of 2-3 points on either side.

However, what this rule truly does effect is the mentality when it comes to defense. Defenders, knowing that fouls are called more easily on contact, attempt to give their man more space so that a foul is not called.

This lets the offense run free, giving them more space to take a high percentage shot, especially after moving the ball around a bit. Since the defense cannot be as physical, offenses get to take better shots, leading to more scoring.

Thus, due to various factors, this season has seen a huge uptick in scoring, with tremendously large team scores. This season will most definitely break quite a few scoring records, and such scores will keep getting posted throughout the season.