Al Horford lifts the Celtics amid the absence of their stars

Kristaps Porzingis remains out of action due to injury and Jayson Tatum was ejected from Friday’s game against the 76ers

Near the end of the third quarter of Friday night’s game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, Jayson Tatum He was expelled for a collision with Robert Covington and his subsequent complaint to the referees.

At that precise moment the game favored the Celtics 96-95, before the free throws due to the fouls called on the star of the Boston team who has not had another starter in his lineup for days, Kristaps Porzingiswho suffers from a strain in his left calf and has not seen action since last November 24.

It is true that the Philadelphia team did not have two of their main players in uniform that night in the figures of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but this was no reason for it to remain a close and important match between two of the main contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Al Horford on paper he took a supporting role this season when Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics decided that someone should go to the bench to make way for Porzingis in the starting lineup, a correct decision since the quintet of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Tatum and the Latvian is one of the best in the entire NBA and the best if we only take into account the +/- of the entire league.

However, the value of the Dominican has been there since coming from the bench he continues to contribute quality minutes to the Celtics, in addition to his leadership and experience, giving another example in this Friday’s victory.

Horford was key with several plays in the final period with a pair of free throws with 4 seconds left on the clock, in addition to a basket close to the rim with two minutes left and several key plays on defense.

The 37-year-old veteran may no longer be the undisputed starter from his first stage with the Celtics, but he remains key to Boston’s aspirations to remain relevant in the East and get that long-awaited championship ring.

Although Kristaps Porzingis stated that his calf is already feeling better and his return is close, there is no set date for him to play again. Meanwhile Mazzulla and the Celtics have in Horford the perfect player to fill that void left by his new acquisition.

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