what is the team called that has the basketball and is trying to score?

Offense: The Team with the Ball In basketball, the team that has possession of the basketball and is actively trying to score points by shooting into the opponent's hoop is called the offense (or "offensive team"). This is the standard terminology used across leagues like the NBA, WNBA, FIBA, and college basketball.

Core Rules Breakdown

• Offense Role : Players dribble, pass, and shoot to create scoring chances, aiming for 2-point field goals (inside the arc), 3-pointers (beyond the arc), or free throws (1 point each).

• Defense Role : The opposing team defends their basket, blocks shots, steals the ball, and rebounds to regain possession and transition to offense.

• Possession Switch : After a made basket, the ball goes to the other team via inbound pass; turnovers, fouls, or shot clock violations (24 seconds in NBA) flip possession.

Common Confusions Cleared

Sometimes fans mix up terms—your "basket" is the one you're defending (defense protects it), but the team shooting at the opponent's basket is always the offense. No specific team name like "Slam Dunkers" applies universally; it's positional, not a fixed squad nickname.

Term| Has Ball?| Goal| Example Play
---|---|---|---
Offense| Yes| Score on opponent's hoop| Dribble drive for layup 2
Defense| No| Stop scoring, rebound| Block shot, fast break 4

Forum & Trending Takes

Basketball communities on Reddit often debate "own basket" phrasing—most agree offense shoots at the enemy's hoop, not their own. As of early 2026, viral clips (like wrong-basket mishaps) highlight this, but rules stay firm: offense = ball-holders scoring.

TL;DR : Straightforward—offense is the team with the basketball trying to score.**

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.