The Boston Celtics are properly previous the times of on the lookout for ethical victories. They simply received a championship after which ripped off seven wins in eight video games to start out the season, earlier than falling to the Golden State Warriors 118-112 on Wednesday.
Make no mistake, dropping a detailed recreation to a workforce that they’ve gone to battle with for years definitely stings. But, there was a silver lining for the Cs.
Neemias Queta impressed in his second begin of the season. He tallied 14 factors, eight rebounds, and a pair of blocks in 28 minutes for Boston whereas netting the workforce’s highest +/- at +13.
5 of these boards got here on the offensive glass, which performed an enormous function within the Celtics’ sturdy push within the fourth quarter.
“Yeah, I imply, Neemy did an important job simply getting us offensive rebounds, getting further possessions,” head coach Joe Mazzulla identified.
Since becoming a member of the Cs in the summertime of 2023, Queta has at all times confirmed to be an power man. His athletic taking part in model is ideal for giving the workforce a lift with explosive dunks and loud blocks, each of which all of us noticed within the remaining body.
What was most spectacular from the Portuguese huge man was the sudden — his potential to (at occasions) stick to Warriors star Stephen Curry off of defensive switches. Curry is understood for being one of many shiftiest on-and-off ball guards within the recreation.
“I imply, he’s one of many best gamers the sport has ever seen,” stated Celtics All-Defensive guard Derrick White. “And I imply, it takes a complete workforce to protect him, not only one man.”
It’s robust for guys White’s dimension to maintain up, by no means thoughts a seven-footer like Queta.
“He’s doing a very good job simply understanding tendencies,” Mazzulla stated of Queta’s potential to modify onto the perimeter. “He’s doing a very good job executing the coverages that we have now. He compelled him inside a 3 a few occasions to his proper hand. So, he’s simply getting higher and higher at understanding what the scheme is and type of what the tendencies are after which simply the situational basketball of constructing reads on the defensive finish. So he’s positively rising.”
This wasn’t only a one-time factor both. Golden State repeatedly focused Queta in switches all through the evening.
Have a look.
Even on this loopy make from Curry, the protection couldn’t have been significantly better.
“I believed Neem did a very good job on him,” White added. “He makes robust photographs. He doesn’t cease transferring. And so, I give a number of credit score to Neemi. You compete at a high-level at the moment, and it takes a complete workforce. And I feel Neemi is one among her higher ones. Truthfully.”
For the final week, Queta has been seemingly taking part in with extra confidence. It began when he helped the workforce storm again from 24 down towards the Indiana Pacers to pressure additional time. Within the 4 video games since, he has scored over 10 factors 3 times and appears to be carving out a extra constant function in Mazzulla’s rotation.
In fact, this wasn’t an ideal outing (that doesn’t actually exist, now does it?) and there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. With that being stated, the Cs have an extended season forward and there are going to be loads of possibilities for Queta to proceed to show himself.
