In the Eastern Conference Semifinals G3 battle, Alphabet Brother once again showed his god-like talent, killing the four sides to cut the Celtics off the horse. While the Bucks were the ultimate winners, the Celtics still played tough despite Tatum's dysfunctional play, and Horford regretted a timeout when he made a last-minute layup.
If Tatum had been in a slightly better state, Brother Alphabet might have been empty.
The two sides continue to fight in Milwaukee, will the Bucks, who lead 2-1, get the series match points? The Celtics certainly won't agree, Tatum G4 has picked up significantly, Marcus Smart has contributed on the offensive end, and the Greens have won the game to equalize. However, the most crucial player is the veteran Al Horford's bravery in the game.
This is the second time Horford has played for the Celtics, and the first time he played was in the summer of 2016. Horford left Boston to join Philadelphia three years later and later played another season for the Thunder before the Celtics brought him back to Boston on a trade before the season began, when Horford was a 35-year-old veteran.
Now he's a year older, and in a month he'll be 36.
Back to Horford again, the Celtics are ready to use him against Brother Alphabet, and head coach Uduka said it before the Eastern Conference semifinals, which is not hidden. Horford's first-round performance against the Nets was poor, but by the time it came to the semifinals against the Bucks, his important role was well demonstrated.
Although the two games at home were not eye-catching, he could still get two double-doubles, and when it came to the away game, Horford ushered in an outbreak. After 22 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, G3 scored 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting — the second-oldest playoff player in Celtics history to cut 30+ players.
As a veteran, to be able to perform so brilliantly at this age, you can easily think of LeBron James, Chris Paul, but the low-key Al Horford is also worth admiring. Not only can he compete with younger players, but the moment when the brother of the alphabet is locked in the game, let people see that he has unlimited energy.
No wonder James was full of praise for him, and Horford definitely deserved the admiration of the outside world.
In a sense, trading such a veteran with a salary of nearly 30 million is nothing less than a big gamble. Perhaps stevens, who coached the team, was more aware of the team's problems, and he completed the Horford trade after taking charge of the team, which at least seems to be the right bet for now.
Bill Simmons said, "Swap Kemba Walker and the first round no. 16 pick for Horford... This deal I'm willing to do again. ”
Horford's outstanding performance in the last two games has won a crucial victory for the Celtics, which proves the value of the Celtics trade. Rival Bucks will now have a headache, it would have been difficult to hold jaylen Brown and Tatum down, and Horford's outburst put the team to a bigger test.
(Text/Yan Wujun)