The Boston Celtics got back in the win column Friday night with a 129-116 victory over the Miami Heat, snapping a brief two-game slide and doing so with a performance that showed both depth and development across the roster. It wasn’t just a bounce-back win - it was a showcase of how this Celtics team is evolving as the season unfolds.
Neemias Queta’s Impact Is Growing - and the Celtics Are Taking Notice
Neemias Queta is no longer just a depth piece getting spot minutes - he’s starting to look like a real contributor in Boston’s rotation. The big man has been steadily earning his place, and Friday night’s game against Miami was another step forward in that progression.
Earlier in the season, Queta often found himself open on rolls to the rim, only for the ball to never arrive. That’s starting to change.
Against the Heat, the Celtics made a clear effort to get him involved early - and it paid off. He scored four of Boston’s first six points, capitalizing on smart positioning and good timing.
The Celtics are beginning to understand how to play with Queta, and he’s rewarding their trust with efficient, physical play around the basket.
His presence gives Boston a different look - a traditional big who can finish inside, set hard screens, and defend the paint. That kind of versatility can be a real asset, especially in matchups where physicality matters.
Jordan Walsh Still Brings Value - Even When the Shot’s Not Falling
Jordan Walsh has had his moments this season where it felt like he couldn’t miss - particularly from beyond the arc. But like any rookie, he’s going to hit some rough patches, and Friday night was one of them. He started 0-for-4 from three, missing some of the same clean looks he’d been knocking down earlier this month.
But here’s the thing: Walsh didn’t let the cold shooting night take him out of the game. That’s the kind of maturity coaches love to see from young players.
He stayed active on the boards, pulling down seven rebounds, and added two blocks on the defensive end. That’s how you stay valuable even when your shot isn’t cooperating.
Walsh is learning how to affect the game in different ways, and that’s a huge step in his development. The shot will come back - shooters go through slumps - but the fact that he’s still contributing in other areas is a great sign for Boston.
Hugo Gonzalez Is Making His Case - One Hustle Play at a Time
If you’ve been watching closely, you’ve probably noticed Hugo Gonzalez creeping into the rotation more and more. And on Friday night, he made the most of his extended minutes.
Gonzalez played 29 high-energy minutes against the Heat, and while his box score numbers - two steals, one block - won’t blow anyone away, his impact was felt all over the floor. He was everywhere. Deflections, contests, help rotations - he was a constant presence, disrupting Miami’s offense and injecting life into Boston’s defense.
Offensively, Gonzalez didn’t force anything. He filled lanes in transition, spaced the floor when needed, and stayed ready.
It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t always make headlines, but coaches notice. Teammates notice.
And if he keeps stacking games like this, Gonzalez is going to carve out a permanent role.
Sam Hauser Finds His Stroke - Just When Boston Needed It
It’s been a tough stretch for Sam Hauser. Coming into Friday, he had hit just nine of his last 30 three-point attempts and was riding a brutal 0-for-10 skid. Add in an ankle sprain that forced him out of Monday’s game in Detroit, and it’s fair to say things hadn’t been trending in the right direction.
But shooters shoot - and Hauser reminded everyone of that in a big way.
He went 5-for-6 from deep against the Heat, providing a much-needed spark in the second half. It wasn’t just the shooting, though.
It was the confidence. The willingness to keep letting it fly, even after a rough patch.
That kind of mental toughness is what separates streaky shooters from reliable ones.
Hauser’s spacing is critical to how Boston’s offense flows. When he’s hitting, it opens up lanes for the stars to operate. And on Friday, he reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when his shot is falling.
Bottom Line: The Celtics didn’t just beat the Heat - they did it by leaning on their depth, trusting their young guys, and sticking with shooters through slumps. That’s the kind of team-building win that matters in the long run.
Queta’s growth, Walsh’s hustle, Gonzalez’s energy, and Hauser’s resurgence all point to a roster that’s learning how to win in different ways. And if they can keep that up, this team’s ceiling only gets higher.