Boston Celtics: Al Horford has an emotional side after all

May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Al Horford (42) reacts after a three point basket during the second quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Al Horford (42) reacts after a three point basket during the second quarter in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following the team’s epic Game 3 victory in the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston Celtics big man Al Horford showcased his emotional side following the game.

 As if the Boston Celtics 111-108 Game 3 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers wasn’t memorable enough, Al Horford’s post-game interview had the media and fans buzzing.

The usually stoic big man spoke to CSN’s Abby Chin immediately after the game and showed the kind of passion he typically doesn’t show on the court.  But, going into a place like Quicken Loans Arena and beating the mighty Cavaliers would bring out the highest of emotions out of any player.

After being counted out, and rightly so after the Game 2 44-point beat down, the veteran put in words just how much the win meant to the team.

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"“It’s big, it’s big!” Horford said, via CSNNE.com."

After high-fiving Jonas Jerebko who passed by, Horford continued to express the energy the entire team had in overcoming a 21-point deficit to basically get back into the series.

"“A lot of people doubted us out there and thought we were finished,” he continued while staring into the camera."

The way Al Horford was hyped up was reminiscent of the many times former Boston Celtics great Kevin Garnett showed such passion after a big win.  He will have to show a lot more of the emotion he expressed following the Game 3 victory on the court in Game 4 because LeBron James and the Cavaliers will be out for blood.

How much did the victory mean to the Celtics?

On Monday, after cooling down a bit, Al Horford reintegrated how much the victory meant for the team.

"“The emotions at that time were high for our group,” Horford told the media.  “And it shows what we’ve been talking about all year, a resilient group that has a lot of fight in them.  We were hit with some adversity with Isaiah being down but our group responded.”"

The overall performance of Marcus Smart combined with the buzzer beater by Avery Bradley temporarily lifted the doom and groom surrounding the team and fans.  It also added a little adversity to Cleveland’s runaway train.  LeBron’s 11-point output is now the focus of attention.

Whenever that happens, he usually comes back strong.  Facing a potential onslaught in Game 4, Al Horford and the Boston Celtics will have to come out and replicate the energy they had in the second half of Game 3.

Next: Timeout: Boston Celtics aren’t better without Isaiah Thomas

The longer they can stay in the game, the more James and his super team will begin to press and self-implode.