At the start of the latest NBA Finals, it seemed very likely that the Boston Celtics could be victorious and take down the Golden State Warriors.
They surprised just about everyone by stealing away Game 1 in the Bay Area, 120-108.
Boston’s huge win was partly made possible because of Al Horford, the veteran player who put up 26 points in the first game.
We really thought the Celtics were going to win it all pic.twitter.com/29S2n1LDzT
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) September 15, 2022
Horford was astonishing in that first game and his 6-of-8 three-point field goals were the most for any player in a Finals debut.
Yes, things looked great for the Celtics in that first game – but then they were met with the fearsome skill of the Warriors.
Warriors Win
Things didn’t go as well for the Celtics after Game 1.
They were taken down by nearly 20 points in Game 2, losing 107-88 to the Warriors.
They bounced back in Game 3 and took a 2-1 lead but, after that, Golden State was in control and won three straight to take home the overall victory.
Horford continued to perform well but he never again reached the heights of his Game 1 showing.
The Celtics weren’t able to get a handle on the Warriors and that’s not a huge surprise since the Golden State has been to the Finals multiple times over the last decade and have become dominant in the postseason.
It took them a few games to figure the Celtics out but, once they did, there was no slowing them down.
It wasn’t the outcome that Horford of his Celtics wanted but the upside here is that they now have great Finals experience.
That can help them in the season ahead.
Horford is now 36 years old but he says he still has plenty more gas in the tank and is ready to fight through another season and make his team proud again.
NEXT: Marcus Smart Laments A Lack Of Depth For The Celtics