What are the essential rules in professional basketball?..

Professional basketball has a set of essential rules that govern gameplay, player conduct, and scoring. Key regulations include:

1. Game Duration: A standard game consists of four quarters, each lasting 12 minutes in the NBA.
2. Scoring: A field goal is worth two points or three points if shot from beyond the three-point line. Free throws are worth one point each.
3. Fouls: Players can accumulate personal fouls, with a maximum of six fouls in the NBA leading to disqualification from the game.
4. Violations: Common violations include traveling (moving without dribbling), double dribble (dribbling again after stopping), and shot clock violations (not attempting a shot in 24 seconds).
5. Out of Bounds: The ball is out of bounds when it touches any part of the boundary lines or the floor outside the lines.
6. Substitutions: Teams can make substitutions at stoppages, following specific league rules.

These rules are fundamental to maintaining order and fairness in the game.