The Boston Celtics have a major defensive problem 14-games into the season with a lack of rim protection being the biggest concern to start the season.

As of today, Boston is scoring 40.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks near the bottom of the league (28th), and allowing opponents to score 53.1 points in the paint per game, which is the fourth-highest in the NBA.

Here is a list of Boston’s opponent’s points in the paint totals:

• Oct. 22, NYK: 42 points in the paint.
• Oct. 24, WAS: 66 points in the paint.
• Oct. 26, DET: 56 points in the paint.
• Oct. 28, MIL: 44 points in the paint.
• Oct. 30, IND: 62 points in the paint.
• Nov. 1, CHA: 44 points in the paint.
• Nov. 2, CHA: 40 points in the paint.
• Nov. 4, ATL: 56 points in the paint.
• Nov. 6, GSW: 52 points in the paint.
• Nov. 8, BKN: 54 points in the paint.
• Nov. 10, MIL: 42 points in the paint.
• Nov. 12, ATL: 68 points in the paint.
• Nov. 13, BKN: 40 points in the paint.
• Nov. 16, TOR: 78 points in the paint.

The obvious reason for the high number of points in the paint is due to Kristaps Porzingis not playing yet this season as he continues to recover from offseason surgery from a rare injury he suffered in the playoffs.

Porzingis had surgery on June 27 to repair the torn medial retinaculum in his left leg and he’s on track to return as planned as the team gave a 5-6 month timeline, which would be around November or December.

The return of Porzingis will be a great addition to both ends of the court, however Boston does seem comfortable waiting for Porzingis to see what he’s able to bring to the table for this team, specifically on defense.

It’s hard to believe that the Celtics are unable to provide a solid rim protection without Porzingis with the rest of the position group of Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta.

Considering the way the season has gone, rim protection from this group needs to come from Queta. It’s not going to be Horford. Kornet has shown great defensive qualities, but protecting the rim isn’t one of them. That leaves Tillman, who’s seemingly out of the rotation in most games lately.

Queta has been the next man up in the lineup, he’s now started four games in place of Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford already this season. He’s done well as a starter in four games, averaging 11 points, six rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla doesn’t seem to be concerned with the total points in the paint, as he doesn’t believe the number is accurate and doesn’t include all the factors that go into that statistic.

That said, rim protection needs to be more of a concept for Queta or any big man that’s on the court. It could be schematics and play design, but Boston needs to have a big man protecting the rim more often than not.

After Boston’s most recent game against the Toronto Raptors- who scored 76 points in the paint- Mazzulla said that his team needs to do a better job rebounding and with individual defense.

Jaylen Brown also mentioned the lack of rim protection and the high number of points in the paint being scored against them at the end of Saturday’s game against the Raptors, saying their defense can be better to combat the easy shots in the paint.

“We need to watch it, but I think overall we’re just giving up too many layups. I feel like our defense could be better. I feel like they shot just too many easy shots in the paint and that’s kind of been the theme, so we need to figure that out.”

Queta is versatile on defense, him can switch all around the court and is capable of blocking shots. Jrue Holiday recently said that Queta is a good defender.

“Be versatile. Show different things. Protect the rim, protect the paint. You could switch him 1-5… and guards like to go at him, but he’s such a big body and has so much length to be able to protect the 3-point line and he’s quick enough to kind of meet you at the rim, too. So Neemi gives us versatility and he’s a really good defender.”

Queta is the best option for rim protection from the position group, however, it’s a concept that the entire team needs to be better at doing.

Hopefully with some practice time in between games, the Celtics will be able to make some adjustments ahead of their next game against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers to better protect the rim.

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Photo Credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBAE Getty Images