The Boston Celtics have taken a 2-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Jayson Tatum believes Al Horford is an integral part of their success. Despite a decline in his overall numbers this season, Horford’s ability to space the floor and knock down outside shots is crucial to the Celtics’ offensive strategy.
Tatum recently defended Horford’s status as an elite shooter, calling out a reporter who laughed at the idea. Tatum emphasized how important Horford is to the Celtics’ success, stating that anyone who underestimates his impact is simply mistaken.
Horford’s playoff numbers have dipped slightly this season, but he still had a strong showing in Game 3, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while shooting 6-8 from the field, including 5-7 from three-point range. His ability to consistently knock down shots from beyond the arc is a valuable asset for the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum on Al Horford: "Whoever laughed at him earlier, shame on you. Al is definitely an elite shooter and he's been that and proven that. He is so important to what we are trying to accomplish as a team."
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) May 6, 2023
Throughout the 2023 NBA playoffs, Horford has been averaging 7.6 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.0 blocked shots. His shooting splits are 44.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from the three-point line. These numbers prove that Horford is still a key contributor to the Celtics’ playoff run.
Tatum’s message was clear: Horford’s impact on the Celtics cannot be understated, and anyone who doubts his abilities is simply mistaken. As the Celtics continue their quest for the Eastern Conference Finals, they will need Horford to continue playing at a high level to secure their spot in the next round.
Jayson Tatum 27 Points and 10 Rebounds Fuel Celtics’ Victory Over 76ers in Game 3
Jayson Tatum bounced back in a big way, collecting 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 114-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tatum made 10 of 20 shots from the floor after a lackluster performance in Game 2, helping the second-seeded Celtics claim a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Jaylen Brown also had a strong showing for the Celtics, recording 23 points and seven rebounds. Al Horford contributed 17 points and seven rebounds, sinking five 3-pointers, while Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon each had 15 points. Derrick White added 13 points to round out the scoring for the Celtics.
The win puts the Celtics in a favorable position heading into Game 4, which will take place on Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. With Tatum leading the way and the rest of the team firing on all cylinders, the Celtics will look to continue their winning streak and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
