Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Al Horford broke free from Beverley and drove to the lane, but missed a layup with 0.8 seconds remaining.
It was a shocker to see Horford miss a layup. In the past five seasons, he has the third-highest field goal percentage on shots fewer than four feet from the rim. Only LeBron James and Kevin Durant are better.
“Coach drew up a great play,” said Horford, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and nine assists. “We had a couple of options there. I got the ball and he really crowded me, so I put the ball on the floor and I felt good when I shot it, but it just didn’t go down.”
Horford may be shooting 71.4% from within four feet over the past 5 seasons, but I’m willing to bet few of those had the feel of last night’s final shot attempt.
For starters, driving to the hoop was the least likely scenario. But with Isaiah Thomas on his back and the lane open, Horford clearly made the right decision. In fact, I’d say Al was surprised he had such an open lane. It appeared to me that he faded a bit to his right in anticipation of getting challenged at the rim – which in reality turned out to be Trevor Ariza sticking his arm out.
I’m not making excuses for Al. He blew it. He knows it, we all know it. But I’m not going to blast him for it.
Love from Celtics fans(even after a heartbreaker)makes me feel good.Heard you guys were heartless.Im feeling like youre the best fans around
— Anna Horford (@AnnaHorford) December 6, 2016
On Page 2, Isaiah tweaked his groin.
“I’ll be alright,” Thomas told reporters after the loss. “I’ll get treatment. I’ll be fine for Wednesday (against Orlando).”
The injury appeared to have happened shortly after Houston’s Trevor Ariza hit a 3-pointer that put the Rockets ahead 55-45.
At the time it didn’t seem all that serious as Thomas, who had 20 points on the night, came down and drained a 3-pointer.
But after the game, Thomas acknowledged his groin did bother him during the game in which he played 33-plus minutes.
“A few drives I didn’t have the lift,” said Thomas, who finished with 20 points. “It is what it is. I’ll figure it out.”
Great. First the injured finger was limiting his touch around the basket and now the groin is limiting his lift.
Stay healthy IT, we have a long way to go.
And finally, holy crap did you hear about Klay Thompson?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUVzjBfGSzI]60 points in 29 minutes.
21-for-33 from the field, 8-for-14 from 3-point range and 10-for-11 from the free throw line.
Good, god.
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