Al Horford is cool, calm and collected.
Are the Celtics destined to beat Golden State?
The 13-year NBA vet is nonchalantly taking over the playoffs, exuding an overpowering kind of dad energy that allows him to effortlessly drain 3-pointers in the faces of unsuspecting defenders. Horford was at his best Thursday, dropping 26 points and making a career-high six 3s.
And he just celebrated with some simple fist pumps. They represented more strength than any overzealous display.
Horford hit two straight 3s to propel the Celtics ahead 109-103, nailing his first after receiving a swing pass from Payton Pritchard and lining up his second from the top of the key. He’s shooting 46.3 percent from 3-point range during the postseason, and 57.5 percent from the field.
Incredible.
Horford also carries his smooth style of play to the defensive side and inside of the paint. He snatched an offensive rebound with roughly 2:55 remaining and flung the ball to Marcus Smart, who hit a 3-pointer and expanded Boston’s lead to 11.
On the Warriors’ next trip down the court, Horford contested Andrew Wiggins’ jumper, and didn’t appear to expend any extra energy.
At 36 years old (happy birthday!), Horford is playing like somebody who knows he likely won’t receive this opportunity again. His NBA experience is a valuable lesson for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Despite being a five-time All-Star and playing in 13 postseasons, this is Horford’s first Finals appearance. These moments should be savored.
That’s what Horford appears to be doing. He doesn’t bother himself with kvetching and taunting. When the game ended, he blew a kiss to his wife behind the bench — not the Bay Area crowd.
Tatum and Brown may be the stars of the team. But Horford is the glue.
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