Al Horford is off the injury report and should be good to go against the Raptors
The Boston Celtics continue to battle through more injuries than anyone should be able to handle, but they are getting some good news for the Toronto Raptors game. After missing last game with an ankle problem, Al Horford is no longer on the injury report and should be back in the starting lineup.
The Celtics have done some impressive things, and beaten some great teams during this stretch, but the Raptors will be a different story. Not only have they been the best team in the East for the majority of the season, but you know they do not want to let this version of the Celtics beat them so close to the playoffs.
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The Celtics have overcome a lot, but Horford is far too important to have a chance against the Raptors. The Celtics need their anchor on defense, and they need the man that is going to keep everything in line on offense.
The Celtics have found other ways, but Horford is the most important thing in making sure this team continues to function well, and they need to be stellar on both ends for this one. The Raptors have one of the strongest offenses in the league, and it is hard to imagine the Celtics holding it together without Horford.
The individual match ups with DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are hard enough. Horford will not shut down either of them individually, but he will be the one making sure nobody is getting an easy look at the rim, and keeping everyone in the right place at the right time.
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It sounds a lot like there was never much there for Horford’s injury. It has happened multiple times this season where he will be held out of a game in what appears to be just rest, and you know the Celtics would not be putting him out there if they thought there was any additional chance it might put their first round roster in jeopardy