May 9, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) shouts out after being fouled in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Al Horford just piggy-backed the Boston Celtics in Game 4
May 1, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the second half during game one of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are currently battling in what is arguably the most entertaining second-round series of them all. Seriously, this series is amazing.
Both teams are playing phenomenal defense, we’re getting Master-Class performances every night, and everyone is leaving it all out on the court. It’s everything you could ever want from a playoff series.
And Game 4 was no different. The Celtics came out on top, but the Bucks were the better team for the first three quarters. Well, they were outside of one player: Al Horford.
Al Horford just piggy-backed the Boston Celtics in Game 4
The 35-year-old big man scored more points than ever in a playoff game, tallying 30 on the night to go along with eight rebounds. He shot 11-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from three-point land.
Not only was Horford scoring, but he was scoring at the right times. Sixteen of Horford’s 30 points came in the fourth quarter, where the Celtics shot 84.2% as a team, missing only three shots.
Horford has been arguably the best player in a series with Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and more. And if not that, he’s at least been the most consistent.
The most impressive part about all of it, though, is that he’s getting it done on both ends of the floor. He’s locked up Antetokounmpo, dominating the head-to-head matchup between the two.
Check out this interesting tidbit of information that StatMuse tweeted out:
The veteran center has defended Antetokounmpo at the highest level, and despite the Greek Freak scoring 34 in Game 4, Horford’s contributions on both ends propelled the Celtics to a win.
With Tatum and Brown struggling at times this series, Horford has provided the calming presence that Boston desperately needed. And because of that, they’re heading back to TD Garden with the series tied.
If the Celtics want to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, they will need Horford to stay hot. And luckily for them, he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
