Points in the Paint

Points in the paint is a basketball statistic that measures the number of points scored from shots taken inside the painted area near the basket, also known as the key or the lane. This metric is one of the most important indicators of offensive efficiency and playing style in basketball, as shots taken in the paint are generally higher-percentage attempts than perimeter shots. Teams and analysts closely monitor points in the paint to evaluate interior offense, defensive paint protection, and overall team performance. Understanding the significance of paint scoring helps explain strategic decisions about roster construction, offensive systems, and defensive schemes. The painted area, from which points in the paint are scored, is the rectangular zone extending from the baseline to the free-throw line. In the NBA, this area is 16 feet wide and extends 19 feet from the baseline. In college basketball and international play, the dimensions are slightly different, but the concept remains the same. Any field goal made with the shooter's feet inside this area at the time of release counts toward points in the paint. This includes layups, dunks, post moves, floaters, and short-range jump shots taken inside the lane. Points in the paint serves as a critical indicator of offensive effectiveness because shots taken near the basket have significantly higher success rates than perimeter attempts. Layups and dunks convert at rates exceeding 60-70 percent, while three-point shots typically convert at 35-40 percent for good shooting teams. This efficiency advantage makes paint scoring a fundamental objective for most offenses. Teams that consistently score in the paint force defenses to collapse toward the basket, creating open perimeter shooting opportunities as defenders rotate to protect the rim. Different playing styles produce vastly different points in the paint statistics. Traditional, post-oriented teams with dominant big men naturally score more points in the paint through post-ups, offensive rebounds, and rim runs. Up-tempo teams that push transition offense create numerous layup and dunk opportunities in the open court. Conversely, perimeter-oriented teams built around three-point shooting may score fewer points in the paint but compensate with volume three-point shooting. The NBA's evolution toward pace-and-space basketball has generally decreased points in the paint for many teams as they prioritize three-point attempts and mid-range shots have become less common. Generating points in the paint requires multiple offensive skills and tactics. Drive penetration, where guards or wings attack the basket off the dribble, creates layup opportunities or draws fouls. Post-ups, where big men establish position near the basket and score with back-to-basket moves, generate high-percentage looks. Pick-and-roll actions create opportunities for ball handlers to get to the rim or feed rolling big men for dunks and layups. Offensive rebounding provides second-chance opportunities close to the basket. Cuts and off-ball movement free players for passes that lead to easy baskets. Teams employ combinations of these tactics based on their personnel and offensive philosophy. Defending the paint and limiting opponent points in the paint is equally important for defensive success. Rim protection, provided by shot-blocking big men, deters drivers and forces them to alter shots. Help defense rotations prevent penetration from reaching the basket. Post defense prevents easy baskets for offensive big men. Boxing out and defensive rebounding prevent offensive rebounds and putback attempts. Teams with elite paint defense force opponents to settle for perimeter shots, dramatically improving their defensive efficiency. Many championship teams feature top-tier paint defense as a cornerstone of their success. Points in the paint statistics often correlate strongly with game outcomes. Teams that win the points in the paint battle frequently win games, though this is not absolute. The correlation exists because paint scoring reflects offensive aggressiveness, defensive breakdowns, and often physical dominance. However, teams can win while being outscored in the paint if they make enough three-pointers to offset the difference. The mathematical reality is that three-point shooting can neutralize paint scoring advantages, as three points per possession beats two points per possession over time. Transition offense significantly contributes to points in the paint totals. Fast breaks that result in layups or dunks before the defense can set up account for substantial paint scoring. Teams that prioritize pushing pace and attacking in transition generate many easy paint baskets. Conversely, teams that slow the tempo and emphasize half-court offense may score fewer transition paint points but can still accumulate paint points through structured offensive execution. The presence of elite rim attackers dramatically impacts points in the paint. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Zion Williamson, and other powerful finishers generate enormous points in the paint through relentless attacks. Their ability to score efficiently in the paint warps defensive schemes, as opponents must send extra help defenders to slow them down, which creates opportunities for teammates. Building offenses around such players maximizes paint scoring and creates optimal spacing when combined with perimeter shooters. Points in the paint statistics also reveal defensive vulnerabilities. When teams consistently allow high points in the paint, it indicates problems with rim protection, defensive rotations, or physicality. Coaches analyze these numbers to identify whether their team needs better shot blockers, improved help defense, stronger post defenders, or better rebounding. Addressing paint defense weaknesses often requires adjustments in both scheme and personnel. The relationship between three-point attempts and points in the paint reflects modern basketball strategy. Some teams adopt extreme approaches, attempting very high volumes of three-pointers while also attacking the paint aggressively, deliberately avoiding mid-range shots. This philosophy, popularized by teams like the Houston Rockets under Daryl Morey, seeks to maximize efficiency by taking only the most valuable shots. Other teams maintain more balanced approaches, mixing paint attacks, mid-range game, and three-point shooting. Points in the paint statistics can be somewhat misleading in isolation. A team might score many points in the paint but do so inefficiently if they take numerous contested shots that could have been passed out to open shooters. Conversely, a team with fewer points in the paint might be playing optimally if their paint attacks create open three-pointers through drive-and-kick sequences. Advanced analytics help contextualize points in the paint within broader offensive efficiency metrics. Half-court offense presents different challenges for generating points in the paint compared to transition. Against set defenses, teams must use ball movement, screening actions, and player movement to create driving lanes and paint opportunities. Some teams excel at breaking down set defenses through pick-and-roll execution, some through post-up play, others through cutting and ball movement. The ability to score in the paint against set defenses separates elite offenses from mediocre ones. Coaching strategies around points in the paint vary significantly. Some coaches emphasize attacking the paint on every possession, believing that paint pressure creates the best offensive outcomes. Others view paint attacks as one option within a balanced offensive attack. Defensive coaches may prioritize protecting the paint above all else, accepting that they might give up some perimeter shots. Others prefer aggressive perimeter defense that forces opponents away from the three-point line, even if it means allowing some paint penetration. Player matchups significantly impact points in the paint battles. When a team has a clear size or athleticism advantage inside, they typically exploit it by feeding the paint repeatedly. When teams face elite rim protectors, they may avoid paint attacks and settle for perimeter shooting. Coaching adjustments during games often involve trying to tilt the points in the paint advantage through lineup changes, tactical shifts, or targeting specific defensive weaknesses.