Surging Celtics seek sixth straight win as Mavericks visit

Boston puts an undefeated home record and a five-game winning streak on the line against Dallas, which just dropped a road matchup in Cleveland despite 34 points from Kyrie Irving.

As Boston enters Sunday night's home game against the Dallas Mavericks, one could make a case that the Celtics are stronger at the center position this season than they were a year ago.

That has less to do with the offseason acquisition of Mitchell Robinson than it does Neemias Queta's continued improvement.

Queta began the season as a reserve but has worked his way into the starting lineup. He collected his first double-double of the season when Boston extended its winning streak to five games by beating Toronto 98-93 on Wednesday night. The 7-footer finished the game with 11 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in 31 minutes.

After RJ Barrett missed a layup that would have given the Raptors the lead, Queta snatched the rebound and was fouled. He made both free throws to extend Boston's lead to 96-93 with 15 seconds to play.

"He continues to get better and better as a player on both ends of the floor," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. "Honestly, his offensive presence is just as impactful. Those two big free throws that he hit down the stretch, catching the ball in the seam, making plays. Defensively, he just lifts us to another level with the rim protection."

Queta, 27, is averaging 9.2 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game in his sixth NBA season. He also leads the team in blocks (1.3 per game). Queta is shooting 55.6% from the field and has made three of the four 3-pointers he has attempted this season.

He set career highs with averages of 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, 0.8 steals and 25.3 minutes in 76 games (75 starts) last season for the Celtics.

"I think the game is so unpredictable nowadays that, like I've been saying over and over again, the more complete I can be, the more versatile I can be, the more I can play off others and they can be their best versions," Queta said.

"I understand my teammates, and I can give them a relief in different aspects of the floor," he continued. "Now it's just about me becoming more consistent in those things, whether it's shooting the ball, whether it's making reads with the ball in my hands, whether it's driving to the rim. I still need to be better."

The Mavericks are coming off Saturday night's 127-117 road loss to Cleveland. The Cavaliers played without their regular starters after travel delays following the nationwide ground stop forced the team to stay in Florida after Friday night's loss to the host Miami Heat.

Dallas was outscored by Cleveland 38-20 in the second quarter and surrendered 71 points in the first half.

"Disappointing road performance by us as a group," Dallas coach Dusty May said. "We didn't match their desire and determination to compete. Everyone in our traveling party needs to be better."

Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 34 points in the loss. Cooper Flagg added 18 points and eight rebounds.

"(Irving) is picking his spots and, obviously, he's garnering a lot of attention, and I think he's getting some other guys really good looks," May said. "We just, as a group, we need to play better. We need to shoot better. We definitely need to defend and rebound at a much higher level with more urgency."

Boston, which is coming off a 4-0 road trip, is unbeaten in its five home games this season.

--Field Level Media