IN PLAIN ENGLISH
A missed shot.
A new possession.
A rebound is gaining possession after a missed field-goal or free-throw attempt.
THE BOX-SCORE CONNECTION
OREB+DREB=REB
Offensive + defensive rebounds = total rebounds.
Same ball. Two outcomes.
OREB
Another chance.
The attacking side recovers its own missed shot.
DREB
A fresh start.
The defending side recovers the opponent’s miss.
Make the numbers click.
Learning example
Change either number to see the total.
+=
Total rebounds
Illustrative numbers, not a player’s statistics.