The Milwaukee Bucks are set to meet the Boston Celtics on Monday night, navigating the challenge of facing two skilled centers, including the Celtics’ emerging star, Neemias Queta. Boston’s interior strength, once uncertain, has developed into a key component with Queta leading the charge this season.
Queta, the Celtics’ starting center, recently delivered a standout performance scoring a career-high 27 points alongside 17 rebounds, contributing defensively with three blocks, in Boston’s dominant 114-98 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. Backup center Nikola Vucevic also bolstered the team with 11 points and 12 rebounds, highlighting the depth at the position after his trade deadline acquisition.
Neemias Queta Credits Celtics’ Coaching for His Growth
At 26, Queta has rapidly ascended in his role with Boston, attributing much of his progress to the support of the Celtics’ coaching staff. He emphasized how their genuine care extends beyond just basketball tactics, fostering a relationship that eases the pressure of performing on the court.
They really have a care factor, too,
Queta said.
They care for you as a person, too. Their ability to go out there every day, demand a bunch out of you and still be able to go out there and have a relationship with you outside of basketball. They try to have your best interests, too. They go beyond basketball Xs and Os off the court. They go out there and really care for you and that makes your job so much easier knowing they got your back.
From Role Player to Starter: Queta’s Rise in Boston
Initially the fourth option behind Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet during his early seasons, Queta has established himself as the Celtics’ primary center this year, starting 55 of 56 games played. His averages have increased to career bests with 9.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, reflecting his growing importance for Boston.
Celtics star Jaylen Brown acknowledged Queta’s continuous improvement, noting a potential for further growth.
He’s done a good job this year,
Brown commented.
And I think he has another level that he can tap into, and I feel like he’s starting to tap into that next level.
Bucks Struggle as Losing Streak Ends Ahead of Celtics Clash
Coming off a 120-97 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, which snapped their 11-game losing streak, the Bucks head into the matchup under pressure. The Bulls racked up a 27-point streak in the second half, including Milwaukee missing 17 straight shots during the final period. Coach Doc Rivers expressed frustration with the Bucks’ performance.
We didn’t get the right shots,
Rivers said.
Half of them were (two-point field goals) contested. When you approach the game and play like that you don’t deserve to win. If we’d have won the game I’d have been upset and taken the win because we need it, but that is not how you play basketball. … That was a disappointing loss and I hope we all feel it.
Bucks’ Playoff Hopes Hinge on Recovery and Upcoming Games
Milwaukee currently finds itself three games behind the No. 10 Eastern Conference seed, the final spot for the play-in tournament, fighting for postseason relevance. Their efforts are complicated by the absence of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined for the past 15 games with a strained right calf.
Bobby Portis reflected on the team’s recent struggles following the defeat but emphasized the urgency to rebound swiftly.
Super frustrating,
Portis said after the game. “I wish we would have got the win, but we get a chance to go out there and play again tomorrow. Bright side is we have a game tomorrow. We don’t have to wait 48 hours to play.
We just have to move on to the Boston game. (We have) 23 games left in the season and it’s getting tight for us. Gotta get on a heater here soon.
Season Series Intensifies as Teams Meet for Third Time
This Monday’s game marks the third encounter of the season between Milwaukee and Boston. The Bucks claimed victory at home on December 11 with a 116-101 score, while the Celtics secured a decisive 107-79 win in their February 1 meeting. Both teams will look to gain momentum as the regular season nears its conclusion.
With playoff positioning at stake and Milwaukee striving to end their slide, the matchup will test Boston’s improving center tandem led by Neemias Queta and Milwaukee’s resilience without their superstar.
