BOSTON — While the Celtics got Kristaps Porzingis back after a two-game absence, they were still shorthanded when it came to their front court. Luke Kornet (hamstring) and Al Horford (neck) were both out Tuesday against the Pacers, meaning there were extra minutes available for Neemias Queta.
Queta ended up making a big-time impact in his 14 minutes, making some crucial plays down the stretch of a close game. His dunk after a jump ball was the main highlight, but he also had some plays that got the TD Garden crowd rocking in the 129-124 win over the Pacers. So Queta earned some praise from C’s coach Joe Mazzulla.
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“We always talk about how those guys have a really hard job because you never know when they’re going to play 14 minutes, two minutes, not play at all,” Mazzulla said. “And especially with our defensive scheme and the way we change things up and execute, it can just be difficult, and I thought he did a tremendous job particularly in the second half of just making winning plays.”
Queta has been a pleasant surprise throughout the season for the Celtics. He was brought in on a two-way contract after spending his first two seasons with the Kings organization. Queta has been a nice energy guy off the bench, and while he might not supplant Kornet in the rotation, he’s a more-than-capable fill-in on nights like Tuesday.
The Celtics will also have to make a decision on Queta going forward as he’s still on a two-way deal. Considering the team’s needs, he hasn’t been with the G League Maine Celtics much this season. Players on two-way deals aren’t eligible to suit up in the playoffs, so that’s where the C’s will need to make a decision going forward. And after nights like Tuesday, the big man continues to produce.
“I was talking to him today — it’s like I forget that he’s only 24 and has played like 400 minutes total in an NBA game,” Mazzulla said. “So just holding him to a high standard, and what he did in that today, specifically in the second half, was kind of what I see that he could do consistently. So it’s great to have a player like him, and he’s going to continue to get better.”
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