1. basketball-a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop. basketball game, hoops. basketball shot-throwing the basketball toward the hoop; his shot hit the rim and bounced out.. basketball-a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop. basketball game, hoops. basketball shot-throwing the basketball toward the hoop; his shot hit the rim and bounced out.