No. 4) Al Horford will match his career-high for 3-pointers made in a playoff game
Horford, who just turned 38, has hit at least six threes in multiple games over his last two series. In a closeout game against Cleveland, Big Al put up 22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and six threes. In Game 3 of the ECF, he rained a career-high seven threes on the Pacers for 23 points.
His final three of Game 3 marked one of the clutchest plays of the postseason for these Celtics. Tatum’s incredible pass went viral, but Horford still had to sink one of the biggest shots of the series.
While Horford will likely move back to a bench role with Porzingis returning, the 17-year veteran should still see heavy minutes against the Mavericks. Thanks to 10 days of rest heading into the finals, Horford should be as fresh as ever.
Big Al got off to a rough start with his 3-point shot early in the playoffs, but he has since found his range. Over his last five contests, Horford has canned 3.4 threes per game on 41.5% shooting.
Against a less mobile big man like Daniel Gafford and a talented but young Derrick Lively II, Horford could continue his hot shooting in these finals. Horford’s teammates have the utmost belief in him, as evidenced by their comments about him throughout these playoffs.
Tatum has especially shown great appreciation for Horford all season, even calling the Dominican big man his favorite teammate ever.
Big Al enters the finals with the third-most playoff games ever without a ring, only behind the great Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Horford will look to change that in these NBA Finals. Don’t be shocked if Playoff Al shows up in a big way by matching his career-high seven 3-pointers at some point over the next two weeks.