The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics are set to lock horns in Round 1 of the 2020 NBA Playoffs beginning on Monday. These are two of the biggest rivals in all of sports so there is always a lot of anticipation when the teams get set to face each other.
However, this one has a different feel to it as the Sixers now possess one of the big difference makers in the series in the form of Al Horford.
Horford spent the previous three seasons with the Celtics before signing with the Sixers in the offseason and he made a big difference against the Sixers in the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals. His defense against stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons gave Philadelphia fits in that series.
The Celtics still have a lot of respect for Horford as Semi Ojeleye told reporters:
Watching Al for the last couple years was great. We have to be ready. He’s a high caliber player, he can hurt you in the post or from the outside, we have to prepare for him, especially now he’s a big part of their team so we have to know and be aware that he’s going to be involved in a lot of what they’re doing.
The Sixers will, in turn, have to be ready for Boston’s explosive wing players on offense in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Gordon Hayward as well as Kemba Walker at the point. It’s going to be an interesting and entertaining series for sure.
Quotes provided by Celtics Wire’s Justin Quinn. [lawrence-related id=36793,36796,36790]