Boston Celtics: Al Horford is a man on a magnificent mission

The fourth quarter was a factor of elegant magnificence for the Boston Celtics in Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals.

Made three-pointers to the left and made three-pointers to the appropriate rained downed in San Francisco for the Celtics, giving the Splash Brothers a style of their very own medication. It was a jubilation of threes all recreation lengthy, highlighted by the ageless marvel Al Horford.

Recreation 1 was a well timed effort from the 15-year veteran. Taking part in in his first NBA Finals, Horford moved one win nearer to incomes that elusive NBA championship ring.

Al Horford is incomes playoff preserve for Boston Celtics

Heading into the season, I had expectations that if Horford contributed 13 factors and 7 rebounds per recreation, the Celtics could be in high quality place. Although he fell brief within the factors division (10.2 ppg), Horford contributed 7.7 rebounds per recreation.

Most significantly, nevertheless, was the dear management and perception Horford delivered to this group, together with contributions within the field rating. The playoffs, nevertheless, have seen Horford up his recreation and ship a number of the greatest performances of his profession.

Recreation 1 of the Finals was no totally different, as Horford linked on six of his eight photographs from deep, which was a part of a 21-41 efficiency from the Celtics (Golden State shot 19-45 from deep however). Total, Horford shot 75 p.c (9-12) from the ground, main Boston with 26 factors on the way in which to a 120-108 victory. Horford additionally added six rebounds and three assists on the evening.

Efforts like this one from Horford have fueled the Celtics from the get-go on this yr’s playoffs when he had a 20-point, 15-rebound efficiency in Recreation 1 towards the Brooklyn Nets. Although there was a bent to have a drop-off within the following recreation — or later within the sequence — within the field rating, Horford has been invaluable.

He’s been a key in selecting up the slack when stars Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum are having an off recreation. This was the case in Recreation 1, the place Tatum struggled (3-17, 12 pts) in field rating appearances. Tatum did have 13 assists, doing what it took to win, as Horford and firm rose as much as the event to fill the scoring wants.

Horford has been a beacon of consistency all through the playoffs. He averaged 13 factors per recreation in every of the primary two rounds, including 9.8 within the Jap Convention Finals. Horford has had at the very least one magnificent recreation in every spherical, too, enjoying like he was ten years youthful.

Recreation 1 was an encouraging signal for Horford, too, as a result of he struggled from deep the final three video games within the Warmth sequence, capturing solely 3-15 from deep. Horford had 11 factors within the last body of Recreation 1 because the Celtics overcame a lackluster third quarter.

Boston Celtics: Third quarter blues

One merchandise of significance since January is Boston’s capacity to complete out video games. The fourth quarter was usually the issue within the early going however struggles within the third quarter have been a woe of the Celtics in years previous. These struggles resurfaced in Recreation 1, as Boston was outscored by 14 within the third. And it may need been worse if not for higher play in the previous few minutes of the body.

It’s humorous how these third quarter ghosts nonetheless sit within the minds of followers. It’s a little recent, with a 25-point deficit towards the Milwaukee Bucks in Recreation 1 of the Jap Convention semis. However total in these playoffs, Boston has been principally even in third quarters, with even a few video games seeing the group outscore opponents by double digits within the body.

Horford’s presence is a profit in closing out these video games, as has the maturity of the core group of Celtics who’ve been collectively a number of seasons now.

It was a whole group effort in Recreation 1. Whereas expectations of the Celtics capturing the ball all the sequence like they did within the fourth quarter must be tempered, they obtained the job accomplished. At this level, Horford’s capacity to do no matter it takes could be sufficient to propel the Celtics to banner quantity 18. And if that certainly involves fruition, it is going to be a well-deserved reward for the grizzled veteran of this Boston Celtics group.