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Joe Murray

Celtics will need to lean on Al Horford again to raise banner 18

Author James Scaramozzino
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 15: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a win Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

With the breaking news today that Celtics superstar Kristaps Porzingis is hurt again and his status going forward in the NBA Finals now questionable the Celtics will look to lean on 38 year old Al Horford again. Boston has already had to rely on Horford heavily in this playoff run with Porzingis getting injured in the first round. Horford has started 12 games for Boston this postseason averaging 10.2 points per game with 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a starter.

Horford hasn’t just been important offensively for Boston his defense has also had an immense impact on their playoff success and with Porzingis out, he’s only going to be tested more. Boston’s defense has been their strength against the Mavericks with Horford being a big part of it, Al has a defensive rating of 107.5 in the playoffs and hasn’t shown his age once. However with the Finals on the line and the team needing to lean on him even more his 30 minutes a night average is destined to go up and we’ll see if the Mavericks try and target him more to wear him out as the series goes on if Porzingis can’t go.

Boston’s depth is one of the biggest reasons why the team has gotten to this point up 2-0 in the NBA Finals with one of the most dominant records in NBA history. Brad Stevens did a masterful job filling out the roster and the team seems driven by Horford’s age and importance in the locker room to win him a ring.

So while the Porzingis injury is a huge blow having a great veteran on the team like Horford who can rally the troops and perform on both ends Boston is in a better spot than most would be losing a key piece. A place they’re not unfamiliar with due to Porzingis health history the team is 30-5 this season without Porzingis. For Boston to raise Banner 18 all they need to do is go 2-3 without Porzingis and Al Horford will finally have that ever elusive ring and Boston will have it’s 18th championship.

James Scaramozzino is the producer of the Joe Murray show weeknights on the Sports Hub. James is a graduate of Bridgewater State University and the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. An avid sports fan who was always obsessed with sports radio, he started on the Sports Hub’s street team. Then started working overnights at the station and filling in on any show that needed him. James has produced Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots games to go along with filling in producing every show on the station when needed. James writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

Listen to Joe Murray 6-11 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow on X @JoeyMurr and Instagram @ImJoeMurray keep up with the show!

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Author James Scaramozzino
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