The predictive qualities of big data are unquestionably useful for business firms, stock traders, health professionals and other individuals that make their living off of sifting through huge collections of numbers. But can a complex set of statistics and real-time data help athletes on the court overcome their competitors? Industry professionals are saying yes.

According to The Guardian, NBA teams are beginning to invest high amounts of money in big data analytics firms and technology to help propel them to victory. Companies like STATS help coaches and sports professionals analyze play options by aggregating and analyzing player movements and positions using cameras during games. The technology tracks the ball and the athletes on an X and Y plane, calculating distances between subjects, speeds and ball possession information. Then, STATS converts this large array of data into a platform that is easy for coaches and players to use and understand. The information can be used to help make in-game decisions or tailor training exercises.

"We're going to be a better team this year," Rick Carlisle, a coach for the Dallas Mavericks — an NBA team that has invested heavily in big data technology, told The Guardian. "We know that by the analytics."

Off the court, big data is helping fans understand the game better as well. NPR recently reported that the Los Angeles Clippers have invested in big data technology that projects a combination of graphics and complex statistics over the in-game action to help viewers analyze what is going on by watching overhead monitors.

"We have this product called DataFX that combines storytelling, video, advanced stats and special effects, all together to tell sort of the hidden side of what is going on in the game that you might not see," Rajiv Maheswaran, CEO of Second Spectrum, the developer of the new tech, told NPR.

This is just one example of how big data professionals are accomplishing impressive feats outside the field of business and finance.