The Boston Celtics are well past the days of looking for moral victories. They just won a championship and then ripped off seven wins in eight games to start the season, before falling to the Golden State Warriors 118-112 on Wednesday.
Make no mistake, dropping a close game to a team that they’ve gone to battle with for years certainly stings. Yet, there was a silver lining for the Cs.
Neemias Queta impressed in his second start of the season. He tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and a pair of blocks in 28 minutes for Boston while netting the team’s highest +/- at +13.
Five of those boards came on the offensive glass, which played a big role in the Celtics’ strong push in the fourth quarter.
“Yeah, I mean, Neemy did a great job just getting us offensive rebounds, getting extra possessions,” head coach Joe Mazzulla pointed out.
Since joining the Cs in the summer of 2023, Queta has always proven to be an energy guy. His athletic playing style is perfect for giving the team a boost with explosive dunks and loud blocks, both of which we all saw in the final frame.
What was most impressive from the Portuguese big man was the unexpected — his ability to (at times) stick with Warriors star Stephen Curry off of defensive switches. Curry is known for being one of the shiftiest on-and-off ball guards in the game.
“I mean, he’s one of the greatest players the game has ever seen,” said Celtics All-Defensive guard Derrick White. “And I mean, it takes a whole team to guard him, not just one guy.”
It’s tough for guys White’s size to keep up, never mind a seven-footer like Queta.
“He’s doing a good job just understanding tendencies,” Mazzulla said of Queta’s ability to switch onto the perimeter. “He’s doing a good job executing the coverages that we have. He forced him inside a three a couple of times to his right hand. So, he’s just getting better and better at understanding what the scheme is and kind of what the tendencies are and then just the situational basketball of making reads on the defensive end. So he’s definitely growing.”
This wasn’t just a one-time thing either. Golden State continuously targeted Queta in switches throughout the night.
Take a look.
Even on this crazy make from Curry, the defense couldn’t have been much better.
“I thought Neem did a good job on him,” White added. “He makes tough shots. He doesn’t stop moving. And so, I give a lot of credit to Neemi. You compete at a high-level today, and it takes a whole team. And I think Neemi is one of her better ones. Honestly.”
For the last week, Queta has been seemingly playing with more confidence. It all started when he helped the team storm back from 24 down against the Indiana Pacers to force overtime. In the four games since, he has scored over 10 points three times and looks to be carving out a more consistent role in Mazzulla’s rotation.
Of course, this wasn’t a perfect outing (that doesn’t really exist, now does it?) and there’s still room for improvement. With that being said, the Cs have a long season ahead and there are going to be plenty of chances for Queta to continue to prove himself.
