Al Horford high-fives Jayson Tatum during Game 5 against the Bucks. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Al Horford's having a solid series against the Bucks.
Through five games, he's averaging better than 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block per game, while hitting 55 percent of his shots and 46 percent from long-range. And, of course, strong defense.
But, the All-Star really stood out with 22 points and 14 boards in Tuesday's Game 5 to get the Celtics back on track.
Coach Brad Stevens liked what he saw.
"The one thing I don't want Al to do is stop being a good basketball player," he said. "He makes the right play, so just keep making the right play. If the right play is a dunk, great. If the right play is a kickout, great. Just keep making the right play. He does so so often that you don't wanna, I don't think you want to skew that mindset."
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Horford said moving to center was a good adjustment for him, since Semi Ojeleye was inserted into a smaller lineup for defensive purposes.
"The Bucks had us against a wall," he said. "They beat us twice over there. We needed to make an adjustment, we needed to do something. Coach saw that, and he went with his gut. That, and a combination of Marcus Smart, I think, paid off for us tonight."
Marcus Smart will be right back out there tonight for Game 6 in Milwaukee at 8 o'clock. With a win, C's would move on to face the Sixers starting Saturday.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports