BOSTON — A win over the Houston Rockets was enough to satiate Al Horford’s hunger for success on the Boston Celtics’ recent road trip. “For me, in particular, that Houston game felt like we played really, really well, so I was happy about that,” he said at Friday morning’s shootaround. Boston fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder after that but ended their four-game road trip 3-1 with a win over the Denver Nuggets.
But that type of satiation only lasts so long. Throughout the course of an 82-game regular season, satisfaction is a short-term construct. Winning a championship is the only solution, and that can’t be accomplished until late June.
For Horford, the regular season is about fixing little problems.
The latest in Horford’s mind is Boston’s level of play at home. Back at TD Garden on Friday night, Horford is excited to be back on the parquet, but he wants the Celtics to be better.
“Absolutely. It's always good to come home. And for me, I want to make sure that we're better,” Horford said. Our last few home games just weren't as we wanted it. I mean, we won against Toronto, but lost against Indiana [and] lost against Philly. So, we got to make sure that we hold home court here, especially tonight [vs. the Sacramento Kings].”
Prior to their 54-point blowout win over the Toronto Raptors, the Celtics were 1-2 in their three previous home games. They picked up a win over the Indiana Pacers, but it was sandwiched by a Christmas Day loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and a loss to the same Pacers squad they beat.
In both instances, defense and focus seemed to be an issue, as the Tyrese’s blew right through Boston. On Christmas, it was Tyrese Maxey who enjoyed a red carpet to the paint, and a few days later, Tyrese Haliburton carved them up just as much.
Heading into Friday night against the Kings, the Celtics could be faced with yet another quick guard looking to spoil their night at home. De’Aaron Fox is questionable to play, but if he does suit up, Boston will have to attack their defensive game plan differently.
Protecting home court is clearly important to Horford. And if it’s important to him, it’s certainly important to the rest of the guys on the roster.
After one of the best seasons at home in NBA history last year, the Celtics have taken a dip. They were 37-4 at TD Garden last regular season, and so far this year, they are already 13-6.
Horford is ready to add more tally marks to the left side of that column.