Celtics Seeing Early Returns From Tatum–Queta Partnership originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On Saturday, March 14, Jayson Tatum suited up for his fourth game of the season since returning from an Achilles injury. The All-Star forward helped the Boston Celtics to a 111-100 win over the Washington Wizards, dropping a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds in the process.
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Yet, the most encouraging aspect of Tatum’s night was his budding partnership with Neemias Queta. Throughout his career, Tatum has always found ways to maximize the impact of the Celtics’ big men, forming partnerships in the pick-and-roll to generate a fearsome two-man game. It appears Queta is the latest center to benefit from sharing the court with Tatum.
Against Washington, Queta was the recipient of four of Tatum’s seven dimes.
Fortunately for the Celtics, Queta has been looking to reciprocate by creating easier shooting opportunities for Tatum. Queta has been directly involved in five of Tatum’s 11 made three’s since his return from injury. Three of those involvements came via a direct assist, while the other two were courtesy of a screen assist.
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“I’ve been figuring out how to give him open looks, how to give him space to attack certain mismatches,” Queta said when speaking to the media after the game. “It’s a work in progress, and I feel like we’re trending in the right direction.”
According to PBP stats, six of Tatum’s 18 assists this season have gone to Queta, which is 33.3% of his total dimes over his first four games back in the rotation.
Tatum and Queta will undoubtedly continue to work on their two-man game and partnership in the pick-and-roll. Their budding chemistry will give the Celtics another option on the offensive side of the floor.
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Once the postseason begins and plays become more half-court-based, that partnership could become a key aspect of Joe Mazzulla’s offense.
Having Tatum back has been a huge boost to the Celtics. And from the looks of it, to Queta, too.
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