EuroBasket is filled with former Boston Celtics, but center Neemias Queta is the only current Green Teamer participating. In the group phase of the international tournament, Queta and Portugal encountered ex-Celtic center Kristaps Porzingis and Latvia, with the latter country prevailing as expected, 78-62.
Following the double-digit loss, Queta and company bounced back with a 68-65 victory over Estonia on Wednesday afternoon. This win in a do-or-die game punched Portugal’s ticket to the Round of 16, somewhere it’s never been in EuroBasket. With Queta leading the way, the Iberian nation will once again face former Celtics with the odds stacked against it.
On Saturday, Portugal will square off with Germany, the reigning FIBA World Cup champions. The Germans went undefeated in Group B and outscored their opponents by an average of 30.8 points. They roster Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner and two familiar faces for Celtics fans: center Daniel Theis and guard Dennis Schroder.
Although Theis and Schroder haven’t been with the C’s since the 2021-22 campaign — ironically, they were traded for one another — they’ve remained key members of the German national team. And during Germany’s 30-point drubbing of Finland on Wednesday night, Schroder approached a triple-double with 16 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds while Theis helped hold Finnish star Lauri Markkanen to just 11 points.
Given Germany’s NBA-caliber starting lineup, Queta will certainly have his hands full during Portugal’s debut in the Knockout Phase. If the Lynxes manage to upset the favorites, it’ll undoubtedly be their greatest win in FIBA history.
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