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Boston Celtics: 1 stud and 1 dud from C’s depleting loss to Milwaukee

By Mark Nilon

BOSTON, MA - MAY 01 Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 1, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 01 Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 1, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics stud: Al Horford

The Boston Celtics may have struggled offensively in Game 1, but, nonetheless, they remained trigger-happy throughout, especially from deep as they hoisted up a whopping 50 3-pointers and converted on 18 of them (a 36 percent clip).

Of these 18 makes, four of them came from veteran big, Al Horford, who shot 44.4 percent from distance which, as a result, actually made him the second most effective scoring option on the team, as he mustered up 12 points on the night.

That said, as has been the case all throughout his return campaign to eastern Massachusetts, the power forward’s impact was felt far beyond the scoring department, as he continued to serve as that steady presence on both sides of the ball.

Alongside his point total, in 36 minutes played Horford logged a double-double (his second of this year’s postseason) by snatching 10 rebounds, and also dished out three assists on highly impressive passes.

However, perhaps his most impressive contributions on the night were found on the less glamorous side of the ball, as the big once again found himself putting forth tremendous effort on the defensive end.

Grabbing one steal and swatting two shots (one coming against the ferocious Greek Freak himself), Al Horford was a real menace in this aspect of Boston’s gameplan, and only furthered the notion that he’s a perfect fit within Ime Udoka’s “switch everything” scheme.

Despite the fact that he’s at the ripe old age (at least, as far as NBA standards go) of 35-years-old, his abilities and high-end IQ still allow him to take on and thrive against players from the one all the way down to the five and, in Sunday’s exhibition, we saw this on full display, as he stayed with the much quicker Jevon Carter in the mid-range on one play just as easily as he stood his ground in the post against Giannis on another.

Al Horford has been a rock for the Celtics all year long and, though they may have lost, he was truly still that steadying force in Game 1.

Let’s hope he can continue to build off of his performance as we approach Game 2.

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