The Boston Celtics administration’s resolution to take a spot yr this season may show extremely helpful for Neemias Queta’s improvement.
With facilities Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet all departing in the identical offseason, Queta lastly secured constant enjoying time.
By eight video games, he has began each contest whereas averaging 22.8 minutes per recreation, representing his highest profession mark.
That quantity considerably exceeds his 13.9 minutes per recreation with the Celtics final season.
Statistically, Queta hasn’t skilled a dramatic scoring leap regardless of elevated minutes. He averages simply 8.4 factors per recreation, rising marginally from 5.0 factors final season.
His scoring output stays beneath what Porzingis or Horford produced because the Celtics’ major heart choices final season.
Nevertheless, deeper statistical evaluation reveals Queta making a considerable impression for the Celtics, significantly in plus-minus score.
He leads the workforce with +52 by means of eight video games, far exceeding Payton Pritchard’s second-place +19.
Boston’s protection strengthens considerably when Queta performs. Opponents shoot simply 39% with him on the ground in comparison with 47% when he sits, demonstrating his rim safety worth.
Queta contests at the least 11 area objective makes an attempt per recreation, forcing opponents to transform solely 39.8% of these pictures.
This defensive presence has helped the Celtics preserve a top-half defensive score regardless of their roster limitations.
The defensive contributions symbolize vital worth that retains Boston aggressive even throughout their rebuilding season.
Whereas their 3-5 file by means of eight video games seems disappointing, Queta’s performances show what the franchise can develop throughout this hole yr.
