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Boston Celtics: Al Horford Gets Real On Unheralded Weapon Amid Kristaps Porzingis’ Absence

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 3/15/24

The Boston Celtics may or may not be your pick to win it all in the 2023-24 NBA season, but they sure have the looks of a super contender for the league crown. On Thursday night, they flexed their muscles again when they destroyed the Phoenix Suns with seeming ease to the tune of a 127-112 victory.

And they did that without the help of Kristaps Porzingis, who is still sidelined by a hamstring issue. Fortunately for the Celtics, their outside shooting sizzled in the Suns game and veteran big man Al Horford stepped up big time in lieu of the injured Latvian.

Al Horford Praises Boston Celtics Teammate After Big Win Against The Suns

After the win versus the Suns, Horford spoke in front of reporters and made sure to bring up his positive observations of playing alongside Xavier Tillman, who was acquired by the Celtics ahead of this year’s NBA trade deadline.

Via Noa Dalzell of SB Nation:

“Xavier’s super easy to play with. He’s making the right read, he’s making the right play, he can defend really well… he just knows how to play. I’m really excited to play with him and develop that chemistry.”

Tillman scored just five points and grabbed four rebounds in the 18 minutes on the floor against the Suns, but Horford knows that there is more to the former Michigan State Spartans star than what the box scores imply.

The Celtics got Tillman from the Grizzlies last February in exchange for Lamar Stevens and a couple of future picks.

As for Horford, he stunned the Suns with a 24-point performance on the strength of a 6/10 shooting from behind the arc. He even finished with more points than Suns star Kevin Durant, who had 20 points.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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