Al Horford couldn’t believe he blew this easy game-winning layup
Horford missed an open finger-roll as time expired, handing the Rockets a win in a hard-fought matchup.
You can see the pain in Al Horford’s reaction.
With a one-point deficit at just over five second remaining in the fourth quarter, the Boston Celtics had one chance to come away with a hard-fought road win over Houston. In these situations, teams want the ball in the hands of their best player.
On Monday, Horford was Boston’s best player. His stat line of 21 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two blocks helped the Celtics stick around with the high-powered Rockets offense. But in the waning moments of the fourth, Horford whiffed on an uncontested game-winning lay-up.
In a Patrick Ewing-like moment, Boston’s big man blew the game-winning finger-roll at the rim. James Harden grabbed the rebound, snatching the Celtics’ hopes at victory, and the Rockets advanced to 14-7 on the year.
Harden finished with 35 points, 10 turnovers, eight rebounds and eight assists, but an elbow to Marcus Smart’s jaw nearly cost Houston late in the fourth.
He was assessed a flagrant foul, and Smart drilled both free throws, cutting Houston’s lead down to just one. Commentators questioned whether Smart flopped on the play, and it indeed looks as though he took a tough shot to the jaw to earn those two shots.
But on the game’s final play, a seemingly soft nudge from Harden sent Smart flying out of bounds. The referee didn’t blow his whistle.
Smart could expect a fine for this incredible acting job.
See More:
