The Celtics have gotten far better play from the center position this season than anyone could have anticipated. Neemias Queta has emerged as a legitimate starting center in the league and is a candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player Award. Luka Garza has proven to be more than capable in a backup role as well, and Nikola Vucevic was added at the trade deadline.
But still, it’s fair to wonder if that position will be exposed once the playoffs begin, and we got a taste of that on Sunday night as Boston fell at home to the Timberwolves with no Anthony Edwards, 112-102.Â
The Wolves took it to the Cs with their size, strength, and physicality, with their impressive front line of Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid. Neemy and Luka weren’t bad, but they looked overmatched at times. They weren’t able to make much of an impact on the offensive end, and on defense, things get tough when they’re forced to guard bigs who can space the floor like Randle and Naz.
Celtics could have used Vucevic against Timberwolves
This was definitely a night where the Celtics could have used another option like Nikola Vucevic, who is still working his way back from a fractured finger, but could have at least given them a large interior presence to eat up rebounds, space the floor, and create some easy baskets.
Vooch hasn’t been great in big matchups, but the talent is there, and having a third option to turn to will still be very helpful. While Vucevic may help on the offensive end, he’s certainly not going to guard the issue of defending stretch big men, which is another thing the Celtics will have to consider.
Jayson Tatum at center has proven to work, and can be used in small doses, but it’s going to be tough to ask of a guy still working his way back from a torn achilles. For bursts, sure, but it’s not a sustainable solution.
Celtics going to face stiff playoff frontcourt tests
It’s not like the sky is falling and the Celtics suddenly have some disaster situation in the frontcourt. Neems, Luka, and Vooch are still a solid trio, but when they go against elite frontcourts, the team is going to be at a disadvantage.
That’s going to be an issue in the playoffs when you look around the Eastern Conference and beyond. The top-seeded Pistons have an excellent two-way duo with Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, the third-seeded Knicks have given Boston tons of problems whenever they put Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns on the floor together, and the fourth-seeded Cavaliers may have the best tandem of all with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
If they can survive that and make the Finals, they’ll likely see the Chet Holmgren/Isaiah Hartenstein combo, Victor Wembanaya, Nikola Jokic, or the Wolves trio we saw on Sunday night. There aren’t going to be any chances to hide a potential weakness in May and June.
Hopefully, Queta, Garza, and Vucevic will rise to the occasion and shine come playoff time, but it’s something that opponents will look to attack. It’s an opportunity for the Celtics’ bigs to prove themselves, but also could eventually be the team’s ultimate undoing if they cannot.