The Celtics were shorthanded and playing the second night of a back-to-back, but they still put together their best win of the season Wednesday against the Rockets. The C’s dominated and punked Houston in the second half, handing the Rockets their worst loss of the season.
The centers were a huge part of the victory, including as part of an unexpected starting lineup. Both Neemias Queta and Luka Garza had their fingerprints everywhere, starting together in a double big lineup for the first time this season. They sent an important reminder that they’re a big part of the picture after the Celtics traded for Nikola Vucevic in exchange for Anfernee Simons.
“I think it’s just getting more used to it or figuring out how to maximize each of the new players and figure out how to maximize that type of chemistry,” Queta said, via CLNS Media. “Started pretty well. We rebounded the ball pretty well, too. I think that’s stuff that we can get better at still, but I don’t think it was that big of an adjustment tonight.”
The Celtics bolstered their center rotation this week with Vucevic as part of the fold going forward. There are plenty of benefits there, whether it’s having more matchup flexibility or injury insurance. Vucevic has his defensive weaknesses, but he brings a wealth of starting experience and he’s a great offensive player.
But Wednesday was a reminder that Queta and Garza have both been important contributors for the Celtics all season. Queta finished with 10 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks in Houston. Garza chipped in 19 points and six rebounds in his second start of the year. The Celtics, notably, also outrebounded the Rockets 65-45 as part of a team effort.
“It’s mostly positioning,” Queta said of rebounding. “Getting there early. Wedging guys under the rim and going to get rebounds with two hands. I think I did a pretty good job of that tonight. That’s an emphasis for me. Trying to go get it with two hands at its highest peak. Also, you gotta get fortunate enough to get a couple of those.”
Realistically, Wednesday was just one game in the grand scheme of the season. The Celtics played great ball despite missing Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser on the night. They got contributions everywhere, whether it was Payton Pritchard and Derrick White’s big scoring nights or two-way wing Ron Harper Jr. having a career-best night.
It was another nod to the Celtics’ ethos this season: Every player on the roster can contribute to a victory. It’s what makes this current group likable as they continue to exceed every preseason expectation. So even on a night without their All-Star, the Celtics still beat a Houston team that’s expected to contend in the West.
“It just helped us on multiple fronts,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said of the double big lineup. “It helped us defensively. It helped us offensively with matchup recognition. We were able to kind of be in our matchups because of that. I thought those guys did a great job. I thought Luka and Neemi were great tonight. Neemi was kind of the best version of him.”