BOSTON — Right from tipoff, Al Horford knew the Celtics’ energy wasn’t enough to close out a shorthanded-yet-pesky Cavaliers squad. Cleveland stared elimination in the face, down 3-1 on the road against the best team in the NBA, so the Cavs were all-in on desperation mode. So as the C’s and Cavs battled to a tie after the first quarter, Horford wanted to inject some life into his team.
That’s Horford, his teammates proudly boast. Even at 37, the veteran always puts the team first, Jayson Tatum said. Even in his 17th season in the league, Horford will make that extra energy play. So there he was, firing up the crowd at every opportunity he could or making the crucial momentum-swinging plays. In the aftermath of Horford’s impressive night, the Celtics beat the Cavaliers in Game 5 to secure their third straight appearance in the East Finals. And yes, his teammates loved every bit of it.
“He truly does do whatever it takes for the team to be better,” Tatum said. “And you see every day when he comes in and he puts in the work in in the weight room, on the court, on the bike, on the treatment table — whatever it is to make sure that he’s available and ready for whatever we need him for. And he just kind of sets the tone, as somebody that’s at this stage of his career and his age doing all these things, there’s really no excuse for the rest of us.”
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Horford had his fingerprints everywhere on the win by the end of the night. The big man finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in his 35 minutes, shooting 6-for-13 on 3-pointers. The hustle plays don’t make the box score, but images like this at the end of the second quarter will live on should the Celtics secure Banner No. 18 next month.
Horford has absorbed the brunt of responsibility ever since Kristaps Porzingis hurt his right calf. There was some Horford criticism after Game 4 over his defense. But Horford saved his best for Game 5. A huge critique of the Celtics the past few playoffs was extending series when they had a chance to close them out at home. Through two series this season, the C’s haven’t let the opposition generate any hope, closing both the Heat and Cavs out in Game 5 at home.
“Tonight was a special night for our group because we had this chance to close it out here at home,” Horford said. “And for me, the biggest thing was bringing energy — bringing energy to our group. … We had a great opportunity here at home to handle this, and I knew it was going to take a lot more than just playing a normal game.”
The Celtics are at their best with Porzingis in the fold as they showed during a dominant regular season. But having Horford as their backup big man, waiting on the bench and for his opportunity, represents another luxury with their loaded roster. He won’t explode for massive scoring nights like he did Wednesday on a nightly basis, but he’s proven he can give that emotional lift for his team.
Horford and the C’s now get some well-earned days off ahead of the East Finals. They’ll wait for either the Knicks or Pacers with the start of the series still up in the air. Regardless, the C’s will get a break before they look to get to the NBA Finals for the second time in the last three years.
“It’s special; it’s something that’s hard to do,” Horford said of a third straight East Finals. “It’s very difficult to do and it means a lot to me. I’m very proud of just the work that our guys continue to put in, JT, JB, how they continue to get better. How no matter what gets thrown at them, things that people want to talk about, criticize, our guys continue to work and they continue to think what’s best for our group. And this year that’s been very obvious.”
