Portuguese center Neemias Queta scored eight points on Tuesday in the Boston Celtics’ home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers (97-111), who reclaimed home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The Portuguese international started and played 27:45 minutes, connecting on three of four field goals and both free throws attempted.
Queta also added six rebounds, five of which were defensive, one turnover, and three fouls. With the Portuguese player on the floor, the Celtics only lost by four points.
However, the Portuguese player’s efforts were in vain, despite Jaylen Brown leading the hosts with 36 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, followed by Jayson Tatum, who added 19 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.
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For the visitors, who reacted well to their loss in the first game (123-91) even while still missing center Joel Embiid, standout performances came from rookie VJ Edgecombe (30 points and 10 rebounds) and Tyrese Maxey (29 points and nine assists).
Paul George, with 19 points, Kelly Oubre Jr., with 12, and substitute Andre Drummond, with 10, were also decisive for the 76ers, who led 62-54 at halftime and never relinquished the lead in the second half.
The third game of the best-of-seven series, which is guaranteed to last at least five games, will take place on Friday in Philadelphia, which will also host the fourth game on Sunday.
Neemias Queta finished the regular season with averages of 10.2 points, 65.3% shooting from the field (third-best in the NBA), 70.3% from the free-throw line, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 76 games, 75 of which he started.
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In the playoffs, after having played only 26:12 minutes in the seven games he contested in his first four NBA seasons, Queta made his debut as a starter this season, and in the first game against the 76ers (123-91), he scored 13 points without missing a single field goal (five for five) and grabbed two rebounds.
