The Boston Celtics made it abundantly clear to anyone thinking about joining Team Tank (me) that the time is not now. They put an absolute beatdown on the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, 136-107.
Here's what stood out:
Celtics used an incredible second quarter to catapult them to blowout win
Early on in this game, it felt like the Celtics could be headed towards their second straight letdown loss at home. They managed just 26 points in the first quarter and trailed the 1-6 Wizards by 11 points. It didn’t help that no one not named Jaylen Brown could put the ball in the basket, either.
The second quarter felt like the exact opposite. Boston poured in 44 points and got just about anything they wanted. It was like jumping in a time machine and watching last season’s team beat up on a lottery lock.
Boston carried the momentum over into the second half and blew it wide open. They spent the third quarter building the lead up to 22 points, and ran away with the game in the fourth quarter.
It sounds simple and honestly is what you’d expect from this game, but the response after Wednesday’s slow start was exactly the character Joe Mazzulla wants to see from his guys.
Neemias Queta is quietly becoming a solid starter for the Celtics
Neemias Queta has somewhat flown under the radar so far this season. Boston’s early struggles have overshadowed his impact in his new starting role. It would’ve been difficult to overshadow the big man on Wednesday.
Right from the get-go, he was on a mission. He immediately made his presence felt by swatting a first-quarter CJ McCollum layup attempt into the third row. He was also the only Celtic besides Jaylen Brown to score for about the first 10 minutes of this game.
Quetta finished the night a perfect 7-7 from the field for 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and a block.
Josh Minott plays center now?
Celtics newcomer Josh Minott was put in an unfamiliar spot midway through the second quarter. Mazzulla used the 22-year-old wing as a small-ball five for about two minutes of gametime, and it didn’t not work.
Boston started Minott’s center stint with a six-point lead and finished with the same once Queta checked back in. In the second half, they ran it back, this time expanding a 13-point lead to 22.
It wasn’t the sort of experiment that’ll make Mazzulla feel he needs to do it every game from here on out, but it’ll give him an extra option if he’s not pleased with Luka Garza or Xavier Tillman Sr. on any given night.
Hey, it's Jordan Walsh!
Speaking of experiments, Celtics fans got their first look at some extended Jordan Walsh minutes against the Wizards. His first nine were particularly impressive. The third-year wing played with a fiery energy on the defensive end. Envision the type of hustle you’d want to see someone who is fighting for their NBA life play with -- that was it.
He was picking up his matchup full court, hitting the glass, and even made a few baskets, including a three.
Walsh carried over his impressive play into the second half, too, mirroring his first stint with even more strong minutes.
Walsh finished the night with seven points, seven rebounds, and two steals in 23 minutes. He definitely made the case for more playing time in the coming games.