For the past month, the Celtics have been wisely resting their players, taking advantage of their early clinch of the Eastern Conference title.
Friday night was their most extreme case yet, as they sat out Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Al Horford to ensure their readiness for the playoffs.
This isn’t anything out of the ordinary. Typically, the last week of the season allows the end-of-the-roster guys to get some work on the big stage. However, the Celtics find themselves in a bit of a unique situation.
Boston’s G-League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, is currently in the G-League Finals, which is a best-of-three format. Following their loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 on Thursday night, the stage is set for a decisive Game 3 on Monday night in Portland, Maine.
With Boston’s top six unavailable, the Celtics had to utilize all of their remaining 17 players – recalling Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and two-way contract players JD Davison and Drew Peterson, all of whom have been with Maine throughout the postseason run.
Monday night is a big game for Maine, which is seeking its first title in franchise history. Yet, that wasn’t on Joe Mazzulla’s mind pregame Friday night.
“No,” Mazzulla said when asked if he was considering Monday’s game when balancing their minutes. “They got to be ready to play. That’s what they wanted.”
They were indeed ready to play.
Boston’s typical second unit played a key role, including standout performances like Payton Pritchard’s career-high 31 points, Luke Kornet’s first double-double since April 2019, and Sam Hauser’s 16 points. However, the Maine Celtics also made essential contributions.
Queta, Walsh, Peterson, and Davison combined for 39 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists while shooting 17-of-25 (68.0%). Their 39 points nearly outscored Charlotte’s starting five (43 points).
“I thought the guys were well-connected on the defensive end and did a really good job crashing. Sixteen offensive rebounds, which helped us control the shot margin,” Mazzulla said after the game. “I think regardless of who you are playing — and only six turnovers — That’s winning basketball. Regardless of whether it’s the playoffs or the regular season, it’s the margins.”
“Margins” has been a buzzword for the 2023-24 Celtics, an area they dominated Friday night. The Celtics outshot the Hornets 104-76 (+28), outrebounded them 53-33 (+20), and had a +13 advantage in the turnover department. Parlay all that, and you get a 131-98 victory, marking Boston’s 17th win 25-or-more points this season, marking the most 25-point wins in NBA history.
“I think it’s just a testament to the coaching staff, the front office, [and] the players, and it shows the continuity amongst the organization, which is kind of what we’re looking for,” Mazzulla said. “Those guys have played really well anytime they’ve come up for us, and they do a heck of a job down there.”
Two performances that stood out in particular were Queta and Walsh.
Queta, who signed a standard deal earlier this week, continued to impress in minutes at the NBA level. The big man scored a career-high 16 points on 8-of-10 (80%) shooting, with six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
“I love Neemy. I’ve been a fan since day one. I actually did draft workouts with him my junior year of college, and I ended up going back [to college]. I’ve been a fan of him since then,” Pritchard said on Queta. “[He’s a] good kid. Works really hard, and I think he has so much potential. I mean, he’s a great rebounder. Has great hands. He finishes well, so it’s definitely a bright future. We’re gonna stay on stay on him and stay working, and he wants to be good himself.”
Queta demonstrated his potential during Friday night’s game, solidifying why he earned the standard contract. It’s promising to witness a young talent like him secure a multi-year deal, particularly with looming CBA restrictions and current cap limitations in mind.
Like Queta, Walsh also displayed his potential. The 20-year-old was active on the defensive end and was also 2-of-3 from distance, which has been an emphasis for him in Maine.
“We talked about this at the beginning of the year. Young players with his potential have to be defined by defense,” Mazzulla said. “I thought he did a really good job defensively in general. Whether he was on the ball or off the ball. I’ve seen a significant approach towards growing in his defense.”
It’s a small sample size, but Walsh has shown some clear development compared to earlier in the season, which is an encouraging sign as the Celtics try to mold him into a three-and-D wing at the professional level.
Overall, Friday’s game showcased the depth and versatility of the Celtics’ roster and the promising talent within their G-League affiliate, a further testament to the team Brad Stevens has built.
“It just shows why they’re in the championship in the G-League,” Pritchard said. “Jordan, JD, Neemy, Drew. They are all tremendous players, getting better every time I see them. Eventually, they’ll be ready to take that next step in their careers.”
Boston’s bench mob will have another chance to shine in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Wizards. They will remain in Boston for the afternoon before returning to Maine.
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