General
in the paint
What does in the paint mean?
Refers to action taking place in the lane/key near the basket.
"They score most of their points in the paint."
Origin
From the painted key area of the court.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'in the paint' mean?
It refers to action taking place inside the painted key area of the court, near the basket.
Why do teams want to score in the paint?
Shots taken in the paint are close to the rim, making them higher-percentage looks than long-range jumpers.
Where does 'in the paint' come from?
It comes from the painted key area of the court, the rectangular zone that stretches from the baseline to the free-throw line.
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