The Celtics are trying to keep Al Horford, left, healthy so they gave him a day off against the Pacers on Sunday, the day after he played 35 minutes against Detroit. Noah K. Murray/Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — The Celtics were fully healthy Sunday with no long-term ailments or anybody listed on the injury report. But there was an important wrinkle: Al Horford’s minutes were going to be managed. While Boston Coach Ime Udoka didn’t say pregame how much they were going to limit Horford, Grant Williams was going to take his spot in the starting lineup.
The coaching staff ultimately decided not to play Horford at all in Boston’s 128-107 loss to the Pacers on Sunday in Indiana. Horford had played 37 minutes the previous day against the Pistons, so it was going to be difficult for the 35-year-old to get on the court Sunday, Udoka said.
That’s typical minutes management – especially in an effort to keep Horford fresh. But the Celtics needed Horford’s defensive juice against the red-hot Pacers. Indiana hit some 3-pointers early, got confident and sprinted away with the win.
“Al comes to play, man,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said. “He’s different. He’s unique. He guards really well for us. He’s been really important to our defense all season. So not having him out there, we had to make some adjustments, but we’ve always had the next man up mentality. If somebody goes down, we always pick each other up and step in where the load needs to be replaced.”
The Pacers made 51.5% of their 3-pointers against the Celtics – including plenty of tough makes. The Celtics weren’t able to keep up with the Pacers, who have been one of the best offensive teams in their past handful of games.
Keeping Horford out was solely for precautionary reasons, so he’ll be back for the Celtics game against the Hawks on Tuesday. So while the Celtics missed Horford on Sunday, keeping him healthy for the playoff push and postseason is the main priority.
“We miss Al so much,” Celtics center Rob Williams said. “Get him back next game. Just man up defensively. Even though we miss Al, we got guys that can step up. We got guys that the whole team believes in us. Just our slip-ups this game.”
UDOKA POINTED OUT out the Celtics weren’t physical enough right from tipoff, which was a similar issue against the Pistons on Saturday. Boston has been one of the best defensive teams in the league over its winning streak, but the starts of games haven’t been there recently. Of course, it’s only been a two-game sample size and the Celtics have played three games over four days.
But the Celtics have thrived by grinding down their opponents. The Pacers looked like a different team after acquiring Tyrese Haliburton from the Kings at the trade deadline.
That’s transformed them to a fast-paced team compared to the days when they featured Domantas Sabonis.
So it’s far too early to say it’s a cause of concern, Udoka said.
“The open looks they got tonight, some of the miscommunication coverage hasn’t been as sharp in the last two for sure,” Udoka said of the defense. “And so gotta improve that. … We like to keep teams in the low 20s at least a quarter or two. We haven’t been able to do that. Our starts haven’t been the best.”
THE CELTICS PLAYED an interesting back-to-back over the weekend, both road games against the Pistons and Pacers. The first was a noon tipoff against the Pistons. That was because the Red Wings hosted the Maple Leafs the same day at Little Caesars Arena. Then it was a 5 p.m. Sunday tip against the Pacers.
That’s a bit different compared to the late-game tips the Celtics normally play. But that’s life in the NBA.
“The schedule was interesting, unique,” Brown said. “Can’t make an excuse with two early games and a back-to-back on the road, I don’t think I’ve experienced that since I’ve been in the league. It’s still not an excuse, but Indiana was the faster, more aggressive team tonight. And they won.”
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