Monday night in Houston, the Boston Celtics started Neemias Queta at center. It was the first time Mitchell Robinson came off the bench for his new team. He then joined Queta in a twin-tower lineup to open the second half.
Whether setting a pair of high-ball screens on each side of the ball handler, or Queta was in the dunker spot or spread out to the three-point line, the tandem and, more importantly, the team were productive. They had a 12-11 edge in that shift. It ended when Robinson subbed out at the 7:17 mark of the third quarter. The visitors had trimmed their seven-point halftime deficit to 68-62.
Queta did the heavy lifting. He scored Boston's first seven points. That included burying his second three of the season and third of his career. He also grabbed two offensive rebounds and converted them into tip-ins.
That stretch was another example of what's clear to see: The seven-footer from Lisbon, Portugal, is the Celtics' best option at center right now. After regaining his spot in the starting five, he should continue to hold onto it.
The Celtics need to keep Neemias Queta in the starting lineup
After Monday's 109-93 loss in the Lone Star State, Joe Mazzulla was asked about bringing Robinson off the bench to open the matchup.
"Just taking advantage of our depth, taking advantage of our variety," Mazzulla said. "Had guys in different roles be able to play in different ways. I put just as much weight into every single lineup as that one. Changed the lineup at halftime. He started the second half. That's kind of how we do it."
Boston's bench boss doesn't put much stock in who starts. He has repeatedly cautioned about the first unit's fluidity. The five on the floor for tip-off will continue changing throughout the season.
However, at this juncture, Queta is outplaying Robinson. In the game against the Rockets, he finished with 16 points on 4-for-6 shooting and 6 rebounds, including 4 on offense. The former New York Knicks center registered four points. He went 2-for-2, throwing down a couple of alley-oops. He also snagged 4 rebounds, including one to extend a possession. It's telling that he played 15 minutes while Queta logged 26. The latter also had four deflections and three screen assists. Robinson had none of either.
The case for the Celtics starting Mitchell Robinson
There are two reasons for this. One is that the eight-year veteran is a better fit for the pace at which Jayson Tatum, Paul George, and Derrick White play. The second unit is filled with individuals who like to operate up-tempo; most notably, the one who has the ball the most, Payton Pritchard. Queta is better suited for that style than his new teammate.
Second, it is easier to prop up the Pensacola, Florida, native if he's in the starting lineup and working with Tatum as much as possible.
However, the beginning of the game matters. And while Tatum is finding chemistry with Robinson, he had it instantly with Queta. As they build on that, they're generating the most points per direct on-ball pick of any pick-and-roll partnership in the league. That's among those with at least 60 on-ball picks this year, per the All-NBA Podcast.
Fans must be patient with Robinson. He will play his way into better shape, get more comfortable in a new system, and the team will make adjustments to get more from him. He has been good to great at everything that motivated the Celtics to sign him. They'll get that version of him.
At least until then, Queta, who's protecting the rim, setting great screens, and making more plays off the dribble this year, should remain in Boston's starting lineup.
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