KEY POINTS
- Neemias Queta recorded a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds in a dominant home performance.
- The Boston Celtics secured a 114-98 victory to split the four-game season series with Philadelphia.
- Philadelphia played without All-Star center Joel Embiid due to a strained right oblique injury.
The Boston Celtics utilized a historic performance from center Neemias Queta to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night. Queta anchored the Celtics to a 114-98 victory at TD Garden by setting several career benchmarks. The Portuguese big man finished the contest with 27 points and 17 rebounds in just 27 minutes of action. His aggressive play on the offensive glass proved to be the deciding factor throughout the evening.
Queta’s 10 offensive rebounds matched a statistical feat not seen by a Celtics player since 1992. He consistently generated second-chance opportunities for a Boston offense that struggled at times from the perimeter. Jaylen Brown provided the necessary scoring balance by contributing 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. The combined efforts of Queta and Brown allowed Boston to maintain control during the high-pressure second half.
The game remained competitive early on as Philadelphia took a narrow lead into the second quarter. However, the Celtics responded with a decisive 36-22 scoring run before the halftime break. Baylor Scheierman punctuated the surge by connecting on a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the second period. Boston entered the locker room with a 12-point advantage and never trailed for the remainder of the game.
Philadelphia faced a significant disadvantage as they played without reigning MVP Joel Embiid. The star center remains sidelined for at least three games with a strained right oblique. Tyrese Maxey attempted to carry the offensive load for the visitors by scoring a game-high 33 points. Rookie VJ Edgecombe also provided a spark with 23 points, but the 76ers lacked enough interior depth to compete.
The Celtics dominated the rebounding battle with a massive 59-37 edge over their divisional rivals. This physical superiority limited Philadelphia’s ability to run in transition or establish a consistent rhythm. Derrick White facilitated the offense effectively by recording 21 points and eight assists. Nikola Vucevic also made a significant impact in his home debut with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Philadelphia managed to cut the lead to just five points early in the fourth quarter. However, Queta stabilized the situation with a crucial layup and two free throws during the final minutes. The 76ers were unable to find an answer for the Celtics’ size and defensive rotations in the paint. Boston eventually extended the lead back to double digits to secure the comfortable win.
This victory allows the Celtics to even the four-game season series against Philadelphia at two wins apiece. Both teams are currently battling for favorable positioning in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. The growth of Queta as a reliable starting option provides Boston with essential frontcourt stability. Coach Joe Mazzulla praised the team’s resilience following a challenging stretch of the schedule.
The Celtics will look to build on this momentum as they continue their current homestand. Philadelphia must wait for further medical evaluations on Embiid before their next matchup against Utah. The 76ers remain focused on maintaining their standing despite the recent absence of their franchise centerpiece. Sunday’s result underscores the importance of depth as the regular season nears its conclusion.
