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Al Horford had five points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the win over the Heat.
Al Horford, who with the classification of the Boston Celtics for the Finals of the NBA will be the first Dominican to opt for the ring in the history of the league, stressed this Sunday the enormous emotion of him and highlighted the support that he has received from all his compatriots.
“That he sits in the Republic. This is a celebration”, he told the media in Spanish at the end of the game against the Miami Heat.
“I am very grateful and very excited. we are here in Miami, very close to the Dominican Republic. that my family is happy and that the whole country was watching the match. They sent me photos, they were prepared for this, “he added. in English.
At 35 years old and after 15 seasons in the NBA, Horford is playing at a very high level and has been essential in the great season of the Celtics, who this Sunday beat the Heat in Miami in the seventh game of the Eastern final (96-100) and They will face the Golden State Warriors for the NBA title.
Horford added in this match 5 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists and was key in two decisive plays: he defended; the triple that missed Jimmy Butler to have culminated the comeback of the Heat and also grabbed the rebound on the last play of the game.
“He was heartbreaking. Butler threw and anything could have happened, he could have made that shot”, he admitted. about that instant.
END TO THE DROUGHT
With his ticket to dispute the ring, Horford closes at 141 the number of playoff games he had played in the NBA without having played in the Finals, a figure that represents a historical record in the league.< /p>
Horford highlighted who has been part of “great teams” along the path of him, but stressed & gué; what is special about these Celtics led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.
“I am very proud of this team. I’ve seen Jaylen Brown come into the league, take steps and go through levels. I’ve seen Jayson Tatum do the same thing. I’ve seen Marcus Smart grow up. For me, it’s special to be with them and be able to help them and be a part of it. I’m really grateful to be in this position,” he said.
The Celtics, with Ime Udoka in his first season as Boston coach, began with many doubts and closed January with a discreet balance of 27 wins and 25 losses.
However, from there on. they became a hurricane that swept across the country. In the NBA, they went 24-6 their last 30 games, and were second in the East with a record of 51-31.
“It took us for a while”, he admitted. Horford.
“But once we understood how we had to play, we were more consistent. It is not an easy journey and we had a difficult road: the Brooklyn Nets; the defending champions, the Milwaukee Bucks; and the Miami Heat” pointing out the “resilience” from Boston.
This was a night of mixed emotions for Horford as he recently passed away. His grandfather, with whom he had a very close relationship.
“All this week, my mother and my family told me to just go out and play, that this is something my grandfather I would have wanted him to do, to continue and to continue concentrating knowing that now he is doing it. in peace & quot ;, he said.
Lastly, his partner Jaylen Brown, who appeared before the means with Horford, did not save compliments to his partner.
“No one deserves this more than he does,” Brown said of Horford.
“His energy, his demeanor Every day as a professional, taking care of your body, being a leader… I am proud to be able to share this moment with a veteran, a mentor and a brother like Al Horford. He’s been great all season and really my entire career. I’m happy to be able to share this with someone like him,” he added.