Portuguese player Neemias Queta scored eight points on Tuesday in the Boston Celtics’ home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers (97-111), which reversed the ‘home advantage’ in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The Brazilian international started and played 27 minutes and 45 seconds, making three of four field goal attempts and both of his free throws.
Neemias also grabbed six rebounds, five of them defensive, had one turnover and drew three fouls, and with the Portuguese player on the court, the Celtics lost by only four points.
The Portuguese player’s efforts, however, were in vain, as Jaylen Brown led the home team with 36 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, followed by Jayson Tatum, who added 19 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.
For the visitors, who reacted strongly to their first-game loss (123-91), even without center Joel Embiid, the standout players were ‘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 reserve Andre Drummond, with 10, were also crucial for the Sixers, who went into halftime leading 62-54 and never relinquished the lead in the second half.
The third game, in a best-of-seven series that already has five games guaranteed, takes place on Friday in Philadelphia, which will also host the fourth game on Sunday.
Neemias Queta finished the regular season averaging 10.2 points, shooting 65.3% from the field (third best in the NBA) and 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.
In the playoffs, after playing only 26.12 minutes in the seven games he played in his first four NBA seasons, Neemias made his first start this season and, in his first game with the Sixers (123-91), scored 13 points, without missing a single field goal (five of five), and grabbed two rebounds.
