ATLANTA (AP) ― Welcome back, Al Horford.
In his first start since January, Horford scored 19 points, hit Atlanta’s final two baskets and came up with a huge defensive play to make sure the Hawks kept their season going with a frenetic 87-86 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Tuesday night.
“I wanted to bring that energy to the team,” Horford said.
Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu (left) and Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert battle for the ball on Tuesday. (AP-Yonhap News)
That he did, dribbling out at the head of fast breaks and diving fearlessly on the court for loose balls, not the least bit worried about reinjuring the pectoral muscle that kept him out most of the season. In addition to leading the Hawks in scoring, he grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out three assists, came up with three steals and blocked three shots ― all while playing more than 31 minutes, far more than the Hawks intended.
Pacers 105, Magic 87
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) ― Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Orlando Magic 105-87 on Tuesday night and clinch their first-round Eastern Conference series 4-1.
Darren Collison scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and George Hill added 15 points for the Pacers, who trailed by two at the end of the third quarter but outscored the Magic 36-16 in the final 12 minutes.
It was Indiana’s first series win since 2005 and its first clincher on its home court since the first round of the 2000 playoffs. The Pacers will play Miami or New York in the second round.
Chicago 77, Philadelphia 69
Denver 102, LA Lakers 99
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
