Portugal’s Nehemias Queta played nearly 20 minutes in the Boston Celtics’ 128-11 home win over the Orlando Magic on Friday in North American Basketball League (NBA) action.
The only post available given the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet, Nehemias played 18.18 minutes, his most for the Celtics, for whom he played in the fourth game of the season.
At TD Garden, the Portuguese “88” scored four points, with two shots from the field, from three attempts, three rebounds, two of them offensive, one assist, one interception and three tackles, a new record career.
Nehemias Queta, who helped the Celtics score a positive 13 points while he was on the field, also lost the ball without a shot and ended up being ejected with six fouls, which meant he no longer had time to play. .
The Portugal international entered the game for the first time with 5.46 minutes remaining in the first period and left only after picking up his third foul in four minutes played in the second, in a first of the game in which he distinguished himself with his two tackles.
He added another 4.06 minutes in the third period but left after picking up his fifth foul, and in the fourth he entered with 6.13 left and left ejected for fouls with 1.47 left in the game.
In his last appearance in the game, he scored four points off two assists from Payton Pritchard, who led the Celtics’ deep bench with 21 points, nearly half of the 47 he came off the bench.
Meanwhile, Nemias also made an impressive starting tackle, his third, breaking the record of two blocks achieved three times during his rookie season with the Sacramento Kings in 2021-22.
For the Celtics, who recorded their 13th win in 13 home games, highlights included Jayson Tatum’s 30 points, six rebounds and four assists and Derrick White’s 19 points, eight assists, four rebounds and four steals.
For their part, six players scored 13 or more points for the Magic, with Jalen Suggs leading the way with 19 despite leaving the game for several minutes with a wrist injury.
With this result, the Boston Celtics strengthened their lead in the Eastern Conference with 19 wins and five losses, while the Orlando Magic dropped to fourth place behind the Philadelphia 76ers with 16 wins and eight losses.
As for Neemias Keta, he currently has 24 games in the NBA, four with the Boston Celtics, who signed him this season, and 20 with the Sacramento Kings, 15 in 2021-22, his rookie season, and total five in 2022. 23.
The 24-year-old Portuguese center was selected 39th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2021 NBA Draft, becoming the first Portuguese to participate in the tournament.
Last season, he signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics, meaning he will play for the Maine Celtics in the G League in addition to playing for the team.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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