Celtics
"He's the one who holds us together."
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots over Celtics center Al Horford during the first half Friday. Mary Schwalm/AP Photo
The Celtics and Bucks have had plenty of epic battles in recent years, and matchups between the two typically feature no shortage of subplots and storylines.
While the Celtics make a conscious effort to treat every game the same, Al Horford acknowledged that the rivalry with Milwaukee does feel different than many other games.
“No question,” Horford told reporters. “There are certain teams that it just does.”
It showed through his play Friday night, as an energized Horford helped cement a 111-105 win over the Bucks at TD Garden. He finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, in a season-high 36 minutes, but the stats don’t tell the full story.
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No single defender can shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo entirely, but Horford is one of the best in the NBA at keeping him in check. After constant bruising from Horford all night, Horford dared Antetokounmpo to settle for a 3-pointer late, and Antetokounmpo took the bait.
Horford was relatively quiet offensively most of the night, but he capitalized on Antetokounmpo’s miss and went down and nonchalantly buried a pivotal 3 of his own to give the Celtics a 105-101 edge with 1:28 remaining.
“Almost exclusively, all I’m working is behind the 3-point line,” Horford told reporters. “I just think there’s more confidence in it right now.”
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Horford – who added a layup in the final seconds to seal it – is averaging 9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists this season. He’s shooting 47 percent from the floor, 41.4 percent from 3, and 100 percent from the line in 18 games. At home, those percentages increase to 51.8 percent from the floor and 46 percent from distance.
His shot-making is helpful, but his poise is critical. Horford is typically reserved on the court, and when he reaches another gear, the Celtics know it’s time to respond.
“When Al speaks, or you see him get emotional like that, it must be serious,” teammate Jrue Holiday said.
Jrue Holiday on the impact when Al Horford shows his emotion:
"He's the one that holds us together … When Al speaks, or you see him get emotional like that, it must be serious. But love to be out there with him." pic.twitter.com/fMV55BtJBJ
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) December 7, 2024
Holiday said he loves being out there with Horford, who continues to maintain his place as one of the NBA’s most beloved teammates.
“He’s the one who holds us together,” Holiday told reporters.
Horford seems to genuinely enjoy the challenge of facing Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. While they do have a championship themselves, they’re desperately trying to keep pace with the Celtics and get back to that pinnacle.
Horford embraces the extra intensity that brings, and said it’s up to the Celtics to respond every night.
“For us, it’s a sign of respect,” Horford said. “It’s something we fight really hard to keep here, that kind of environment.”
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