Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Three Boston Celtics things: Horford’s impact and Smart’s absence

By Joe DeFerrari

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 23: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics drives past Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 126-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 23: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics drives past Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 126-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 07: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Three Celtics Things as the Boston Celtics gear up for a first-round matchup with the Indiana Pacers.

With the Boston Celtics getting ready to play the Indiana Pacers this weekend, here are three things on my mind.

Thing 1: Al Horford is still the most important player for the Boston Celtics

Celtics nation was worried about Al Horford for a bit. He looked out of sorts, and the impact was visible. He was the most important player for the Celtics last season, but the Celtics were 1.6 points per 100 possessions better with him off the court before the All-Star break this season. We thought maybe he’d lost a step.

More from Chowder and Champions

Yeah, nope. Since the All-Star break, the Celtics are 17.3 points per 100 possessions better with Horford on the court than when he’s off.

The offense and defense both fall completely apart without him. When he’s healthy, his versatility and IQ are still the factors that unlock this Celtics team.

Horford looked fantastic against the Indiana Pacers. He demanded the ball in the post when he had mismatches, and drove the lane when the Pacers gave it to him. He also had a pretty sweet looking block in transition.

The Celtics are the best version of themselves when Horford plays with that aggression. He didn’t have it early in the season, whether because of injury or just because the team was struggling to find its way.

But he’s upped his scoring average every single month. His 15.8 ppg average over his last 16 games (on close to 60% shooting from the field and over 40% from deep) has been a huge boon to a team still cementing its identity. If he can stay dialed in, it’ll help the Celtics survive the injury bug.

Home/Boston Celtics