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Neemias Queta vows to fix early Celtics playoff weakness
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- Neemias Queta vows to fix early Celtics playoff weakness
PHILADELPHIA — While Neemias Queta has been productive for the Celtics against the 76ers , that’s only when he’s able to stay on the court. Foul trouble has bogged down the C’s starting big man through the first few games of the first-round series.
Queta vowed to fix that early playoff weakness speaking Saturday after the Celtics’ practice. He played just 13 minutes in the Game 3 victory over the Sixers , picking up four fouls on the night.
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“It starts with me,” Queta said. “Just gotta be better. Picking up early fouls. First quarter, four minutes, three minutes in. Two of them. It’s not good. You’re always going to be a step behind. You’re only going to be a shell of yourself if you’re doing that consistently. So can’t be doing that. Team needs me out there and I’ll be better.”
Queta has been slowed down by foul trouble, but that’s also why the Celtics acquired veteran big man Nikola Vucevic at the deadline . Vucevic provides much-needed depth behind Queta and he closed out the Game 3 victory Friday.
Vucevic has his defensive limitations and has struggled at times in his C’s tenure. But his shot-making came up big in Game 3, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists Friday. He also generally held up defensively. The Celtics also leaned on Luka Garza for spot minutes with Queta slowed down by foul trouble.
“Some of those have been illegal screens,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said of Queta’s fouls. “Some of them, they have great guard play where they can get downhill and they put a ton of pressure on your bigs in pick-and-roll. So we’ve just got to be as disciplined as we can in our screening and our pick and roll defense.
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The Celtics own the 2-1 series lead over the Sixers, navigating a couple nights where Queta has been slowed down by foul trouble. Queta also played just 15 minutes in Game 1, picking up five fouls, though that was also a blowout C’s victory. Realistically, they’re going to need Queta at his best going forward if the Celtics hope for another deep playoff run.
Queta has enjoyed a breakout season, finishing fourth in Most Improved Player voting. While there were questions on who would be Boston ’s big man going into the season, Queta emerged as a legit starting center. But the playoffs are a different beast, and Queta has struggled staying on the court so far.
“Lot of intensity,” Queta said. “Guys really want it. Guys really trying to make plays and they’re really good players and that’s why they’re on the court. They’re making those plays. You really gotta dig deep and find a way to make better plays on the other end. It’s like the constant battle of back-and-forths and guys really giving their all for their team.”
There’s also the chance the Sixers big man rotation looks different this series. Joel Embiid didn’t play in Game 3, though his presence looms large. He was upgraded to doubtful ahead of Game 3 as he gets closer to returning from his appendectomy procedure. Philadelphia has relied on Adem Bona and Andre Drummond for its big man rotation thus far, but Embiid’s return would have a significant impact on the series.
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“One of the best players of the last couple of years,” Queta said. “It can only be better for them if he’s out there and helping them. Not really worried about that yet. Nothing confirmed about it yet. Until then, we’re worried about what’s confirmed. But he’s a hell of a player and can make them a lot better. We’ll embrace the challenge if he comes.”
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