Boston Celtics: 2 unsung studs from C’s Game 5 win over Miami

Boston Celtics stud No. 2) Al Horford

Al FRICKEN Horford!

It seems like after every game of this year’s postseason we’ve been able to praise the man, the myth, the legend for the way in which he managed to perform for the Boston Celtics, and Game 5 simply proved to be more of the same.

Easily the team’s rock throughout both their second-half surge during the regular season and in this year’s playoffs, the power forward was once again the steadying all-around presence that this C’s squad has been reliant on during their epic run.

Seeing nearly 40 minutes on the night, Horford went on to stuff the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal on 62.5 percent shooting overall from the field.

When watching him play, we find that it’s quite easy to forget that the big man is 35-years-old and has 15-years worth of tread on his tires, as he’s been able to put forth the efforts of a much younger man.

From the defensive abilities that allow him to stay with someone like Jimmy Butler just as easily as he does with someone like P.J. Tucker to his sheer athleticism that allows him to handle the rock like Nikola Jokic at times (tell me that sequence in the third where he snatched the defensive rebound, ran the floor whilst dribbling between three defenders, and finished on the other end with a finger-roll, and-one lay-in wasn’t reminiscent of the 2x MVP) Al Horford has been an absolute unit for this Boston Celtics team and, thanks in large to his stellar performance, they are now one win away from the NBA Finals.

We love you, Big Al!