The Hawks won the pivotal Game 5 of their series against the Nets on Wednesday. The play of Al Horford was the biggest reason why.
Al Horford reminded everyone that he’s the Hawks best player
The Hawks are only an elite team when their best player is in form. They won Game 5 because they finally got an Al Horford breakout performance.
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Horford struggled to varying degrees in the first three games, but his low point came in Game 3. He finished with seven points on 12 shots and the Nets outscored Atlanta by 14 points with him on the floor. They also pummeled the Hawks on the boards, while Brook Lopez went for 22 points and 13 rebounds largely with Horford guarding him. The following game saw Horford score more efficiently, but again fail to match Lopez's impact. There was a case to be made that he was the weakest link in the starting lineup.
That was not the case Wednesday. Horford did a bit of everything, finishing with 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks and 20 very efficient points. It was yet another reminder that he is the Hawks’ best player and a genuine star in his own right.
The approach the Hawks take on offense often hides it, but Horford is their most important piece of the puzzle. He can score inside and out, nails mid-range jumpers with fantastic efficiency and is the closest thing they have to a traditional defensive anchor. Without him coming back healthy after missing most of last season, the Hawks would not have made the leap they made this year. His struggles exacerbate Atlanta’s lack of size and secondary playmaking. It’s not a coincidence that with him thriving in Game 5, the starters combined for 59 of Atlanta’s 107 points on 50 percent shooting and outscored the Nets by 10 points in 25 minutes.
While DeMarre Carroll got most of the attention thanks to his 19 first-quarter points, Horford was the one to set the pace early. He finished the first two quarters of play with eight points, eight rebounds and four assists, three of which resulted in three-pointers. With the Hawks in control after that dominant start, Horford remained consistent, scoring six in each of the following periods, creating second opportunities and keeping Lopez in check. He was steady more than flashy, which characterizes his brilliance.
Then, with the Nets making their push, Horford took over on both ends. First he hit two consecutive pick-and-pop 19-footers, shots he normally makes, but hadn’t earlier in the series.
Then, he defended Joe Johnson, one of the best isolation scorers in the league, perfectly
Finally, Jeff Teague took advantage of the attention the Nets paid to Horford to get an open lane to the bucket. Notice where Lopez is on this play.
It was the perfect ending to a fantastic game by the undisputed leader of the Hawks. It was also a sign that despite their unexpected struggles, they still have the talent to go far in the playoffs if Horford plays like he did on Wednesday.
The series against the Nets has been a tougher one than anyone was expecting and raises doubts about Atlanta’s ability to even beat Washington in the second round. Remember, though, that last year’s No. 1 seed struggled to get past their first-round foe and was able to make the conference finals anyway. If Horford keeps playing like he did in Game 5, the Hawks’ issues will quickly be forgotten.
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