The keys to Game 1 and why Horford was so important to Boston

Game 1 of the NBA Finals went to the Boston Celtics at the home of the Golden State Warriors. And much of the credit for getting home-court advantage goes to Al Horford. The veteran power forward had a magical night in what was his first match in the series for the championship ring and became a trend due to the pleasant surprise of his performance.

Although the quality of Horford’s game is nothing new, he is one of the best foreigners who have set foot in the League in history, it was surprising that he is the team’s most outstanding player in a Celtics that have the figure of Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown or Marcus Smart as its main figures. What then produced that performance?

26 points

6 rebounds

3 assists

If there is something that can be highlighted in this second cycle of the Dominican in the Celtics, it is his regularity. Horford arrived much more mature after the disappointments he suffered in his stints at Philadelphia and Oklahoma. He returned to Boston as a guide, as that valve that regulates the intensity and knows when and how to increase or decrease the pressure. And that function came in handy.

The contribution from Puerto Plata had been, mainly, defensive. It was a silent performance, which did not appear in the spreadsheets because it was not about numerical values. But it was noticeable in the final result and in the performance of the rival figures which were defended by Horford. And that Golden State knew.

1) Stagger for White who rolls the first curtain.

2) Tatum tries to get out through Horford’s curtain but Wiggins denies him

3) Tatum goes to screen Draymond to free Horford

For this reason, the Warriors, in their eagerness to defend the Celtics’ main weapons, neglected a Horford who knew when to attack, when to hit. That valve opened and gave way to a fast attack, so fast that the locals did not have time to react. And the streak Horford went on when he turned on was key.

Will we see performances from the Dominican like last night in all the Finals games? Maybe not. If he showed anything this season, it is having sporadic offensive performances, like choosing when to uncover the pot. Meanwhile, defensive intensity will be guaranteed every night. There’s no doubt.

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