Boston Celtics: 1 stud and 1 dud from C’s electrifying win over Sixers

Boston Celtics stud: Al Horford

By the game’s end, we knew we were going to be choosing one of the starting bigs for the Boston Celtics, as both had themselves truly impressive outings from many different areas on the hardwood.

However, when really looking at the night as a whole, we feel as though Al Horford is the most deserving of being crowned “stud” of the game.

Logging just over 30 minutes, the veteran big proved to be a real difference-maker against his former employers, both from an offensive and, perhaps more obviously, a defensive perspective.

Horford finished the night with a final box-score stat line of 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and a stupendous five blocks on 67 percent shooting from both the field and from deep.

In regard to his defensive efforts, not only was he an absolute enforcer when in the interior, but we also saw the 35-year-old stepping out on the perimeter, guarding guys like Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris mainly, and was able to stand his ground and stay fluidly with his assignments — this was perhaps no more apparent than in the closing seconds when he stayed step for step with Harris, refusing to give him any room and, ultimately, forced him to pass the ball.

Since his arrival back in Boston, Horford has constantly proven to be a tremendous asset for the team, be it with his offensive prowess, defensive abilities, or his leadership skills.

Wednesday, he managed to showcase all three of these stellar attributes and we at the Houdini couldn’t have been happier.