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Al Horford the Difference in Return to Boston Celtics Lineup
Al Horford wastes no time in making his impact felt on the court for the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics finally got the news that everyone was waiting for, as both Al Horford and Jae Crowder returned to the lineup against the Detroit Pistons, who were looking to remain the one team undefeated at home in the league. Despite an off day from multiple players that they have been leaning on, the Celtics got everything they needed from Horford on both ends to secure the victory.
On a night when Isaiah Thomas shot 7-22 from the field, and Marcus Smart and Amir Johnson combined to shoot 2-14 from the field, the Celtics would have stood no chance without Horford out there, who managed to make up for a lot of glaring issues. He was not their leading scorer but with 18 points on just 12 shots, he found great comfort and balance on the offensive end. His decision making was on point. He was aggressive when he was open and he did a great job looking for his teammtes and instigating ball movement with his five assists.
Against one of the most dominant rebounders in the league in Andre Drummond, Horford was the main reason why they only lost that battle by four boards. It has been interesting seeing Avery Bradley as the leading rebounder game after game, but it is a welcomed sight to have Horford leading the way with 11 boards.
Horford needed no time to shake off any kind of rust on the offensive end. On top of looking very comfortable himself, he actually managed to make his teammates look a lot more comfortable.
More importantly, however, was the interior defense that Horford brought. He ended with three blocks and two steals but that still does not do justice to how he was finally able to give the Celtics some resistance in the paint. Horford gives the Celtics a big that cannot be attacked and cannot be abused, and it completely transforms what the Celtics are able to expect from their front court.
On a night when no one else was better than plus five, it is no surprise to see Horford leading the way with a phenomenal plus 17. From the get go, it was clear how much better the Celtics were with Horford on the court. With the way he struggled from the field, Thomas needed that extra help in multiple areas, and Horford was there to make a play whenever it was needed.
Nov 19, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) drives to the basket as Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) defends first half at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Then, with the game on the line, it was Horford who sealed the deal. Thomas did a great job driving and dishing to a wide open shot by Crowder. The shot was missed, but Smart came flying in with arguably the play of the game to save it. Horford then stood there gathering Smart’s save and hit the go ahead bucket with under three seconds left to play. Horford hit the game winning shot but did not stop there. The Pistons had one final opportunity to tie things up and they managed to get it to a player in a decent spot to get a shot off. That was until Horford came in and crushed the ball before it even had chance of reaching the rim.
Horford was Boston’s best player on both ends throughout the game and that alone would have been enough to feel confident that he could come back at 100%. Seeing him make those plays down the stretch were the bonus they needed to once again realize how important Horford is going to be to this team.
The game was far from perfect and the Celtics struggled to beat a shorthanded Pistons team, but this is a great win for them to build on. With the confidence they now have in Horford, things should continue to get better. Smart had one of this worst offensive games of the year, and Crowder appeared a little more rusty than Horford.
This was the first time the Celtics were at full strength this season, but they still have not approached that high end potential. While everyone looks comfortable and in rhythm, the Celtics know that they have multiple players that if they played their best, they could have run away from the Pistons.
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Horford will never have the kind of offensive control that Thomas does and, on a good night, Thomas will continue to be the most important offensive player on the team. That being said, Horford made it clear that he can be the biggest difference maker on this team. He improves them in the areas that they were abused in while he was out, and his game changing ability on both ends is unmatched on this team.
Both Crowder and Bradley have been great two way players for the Celtics, but Horford has an opportunity to be even more than either of them. If anything his shot attempts could start to go up and it would not be a surprise at all to see him finish as the second leading scorer behind Thomas, while also leading the team in rebounding, blocked shots and even steals.
The Celtics had high hopes for Horford when he joined the team and if this first game back is any indication, he is going to realize the potential that the Celtics dreamed of when they got him in free agency.
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