How to Calculate Points Per 48 Minutes in Basketball

If basketball players are on the court for a varying amount of time, it's sometimes difficult to compare their scoring statistics. To better evaluate their statistics, you can put the players on equal footing by calculating their points per 48 minutes.

Instructions

1. Keep track of how long the player you are tracking is playing per game. The time you should be keeping track of is the actual game clock time that the player is on the court. For that reason, you can't use a stopwatch, but instead, use the game clock.

2. Record how many points the player scores. Every point a player scores counts toward their points per 48 minutes. That includes two-pointers, three-pointers and free throws. The best way to record how many points a player scores is to use a pen and paper to tally each point a player scores.

3. Divide the number of points the player scored by the number of minutes the player was on the basketball court. For example, if a player scores 12 points in 24 minutes, you divide 12 by 24. In this example, you learn that the player scores half of a point per minute.

4. Multiple the resulting number by 48. In the above example, you multiple .5 times 48. The ensuing number indicates how many points per 48 minutes the player averages. In the above example, the player averages 24 points per 48 minutes.

5. Track multiple games to get a more accurate read on how many points per 48 minutes the player you are following truly averages. One game can give an inaccurate representation. After five or more games, you can begin to get a more accurate read on how many points the player should be expected to score in 48 minutes.