The Celtics were down a pair of starters for Wednesday’s win against the Spurs, which opened the door for a few players down Boston’s bench. Luke Kornet received a surprise start at center with Kristaps Porzingis out of the lineup and that paved the way for some Neemias Queta minutes off the bench.
The two-way center had carved out a role for himself back in December but has found himself on the sidelines in recent weeks with Boston’s frontcourt at full strength. However, with Queta in the mix for minutes Wednesday night, he made sure to make the most of his opportunity, posting six points and eight rebounds in 12 minutes. He also blocked a pair of shots and hell his own in head-to-head matchups with rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama. That performance earned him some accolades from his head coach as the Celtics pulled away from the Spurs in the second quarter with Queta on the floor.
“In the middle of January playing San Antonio, who is a little bit down this year to have some really good moments of greatness, especially defensively, I think that’s key,” Mazzulla explained. “I think tonight Neemi hasn’t been in the rotation as much because we’ve been healthy, but you kind of saw why he plays a role on our team. He changed the game for us in the first half and did it again in the second half. That role and what he can do for us is very important for our team.”
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Wembanyama had a strong game overall (team-high 27 points) but struggled against Queta’s strength in the post on several occasions. That type of physicality also led to some excessive fouling (five in 12 minutes) but those are flaws that Mazzulla is willing to live with during his development.
“I just like seeing Neemi be physical, and the presence that he played with on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla said. “So he’s one of those kids that doesn’t know how good he can be. He hasn’t been in the league a long time. He’s only played like 300 minutes in the NBA, and so he started to see when he plays with a certain presence, we’re a different basketball team and I thought he did that tonight.”
Queta was one of the many bright spots across Boston’s bench which combined for 35 points despite being shorthanded in the win. Jaylen Brown made a point to single out that group’s effort while reflecting on the Celtics 117-98 win.
“It’s extremely important for the growth and development of our team,” Brown said. “Even tonight, how we played through those guys a little bit – Payton, Sam – getting those guys touches and things like this. It’s important to build confidence and get our guys feeling good because it’s a long season. Once you get put in those moments down the line, you look back to these moments and see if you can foster and help your guys get opportunities, because it might help you down the line. So like tonight, Payton playing well. Even Neemi getting in there, showing some great signs, potentially help us down the line.”
Queta and the Celtics return to action on Friday night at TD Garden with their toughest home matchup of the year against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
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