Neemias Queta gives Celtics silver lining in opening loss to the 76ers

Wedneseday’s season opener didn’t go according to plan for the Boston Celtics, who saw a nine-point lead disappear in the last 3:47 as the Philadelphia 76ers stole one at TD Garden. The loss, though disappointing, didn’t come without its silver lining.

Center Neemias Queta put together an impressive season debut in just his seventh start as a Celtic -- a role he’ll likely take on often throughout the year. He finished the night with 17 points and eight rebounds on an efficient 7-8 from the field. A step in the right direction if he’s going to (somewhat) fill the shoes of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet.

“He did some really good things,” head coach Joe Mazzulla praised postgame. “The standard is high for him. I thought he answered the call."

The Celtics need Neemias Queta

Queta certainly answered the call in the fourth quarter, before he eventually fouled out. Boston heavily featured him in their late-game offense, spamming pick-and-rolls and reaping the rewards. 

He was great,” Derrick White added. “Just being available, obviously a big target, soft touch around the hoop as well. So again, a lot of things out there for us and be at a high level.”

The Celtics struggled to score consistently once he picked up his sixth and final foul. Queta bumping Tyrese Maxey on the late-game drive was a reminder that he’s still a work in progress.

As great as he was on the offensive end, he’s still got plenty of room to improve when it comes to defensive discipline -- part of the team’s high standard for the Portuguese big man.

"We're gonna be hard on Neemi, and I'm really looking forward to coaching him throughout the year,” Mazzulla explained after last week’s preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors. “I told him, 'This is what you've worked your whole life for, being the starting center for the Celtics.”

Starting center is a role that many weren’t, and still may not be, sure that Queta was completely ready for. In his first two seasons with Boston, he’d struggled to find consistent minutes in a deep center rotation. When he did play, he’d show promising flashes, but still have plenty of glaring issues in his game that needed tuning up.

Mazzulla and the Celtics player development staff have worked with him plenty during that span to get him prepared for this opportunity. He was ready on opening night, but they’re looking for Queta to play at a high level consistently throughout the season.

“We just have to hold him to that standard. And he takes pride in that. He works at it, you know. But what we saw [against Toronto] is like… that's the guy we need more times than not.”