Horford Sits Out, Porzingis Returns for Celtics vs. Pistons

The Boston Celtics will be without the services of veteran big man Al Horford when they take on the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. Horford, who has been a key cog in the Celtics’ impressive run this season, is being rested for the second game of a back-to-back set after playing 23 minutes in Sunday’s 130-104 win over the Washington Wizards.

Horford’s absence will be mitigated by the return of Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed the past five games due to a nagging hamstring injury. The 7-foot-3 Latvian sharpshooter is expected to slot back into the starting lineup at the center position, providing the Celtics with a potent inside-outside scoring threat.

While resting players on the second night of a back-to-back has become a common practice in the NBA, the decision to sit Horford is likely more precautionary than anything else. At 36 years old, Horford is no spring chicken, and the Celtics will want to ensure that he’s fresh and healthy for the stretch run and the playoffs.

That said, Horford’s absence will still be felt on both ends of the floor. The veteran big man has been a defensive anchor for the Celtics this season, using his savvy and positioning to make up for his lack of athleticism. He’s also been a reliable scorer and playmaker on the offensive end, capable of knocking down open threes and making the right pass out of the high post.

With Horford out, the Celtics will likely rely more heavily on Porzingis and Jayson Tatum to shoulder the scoring load. Tatum, in particular, has been on a tear of late, averaging nearly 30 points per game over his last 10 contests.

The Pistons, meanwhile, will be looking to play spoiler and snap a three-game losing streak. While they’re out of the playoff picture, they’ve shown flashes of potential this season, thanks in large part to the play of rookie sensation Jaden Ivey and the continued development of Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.

Ultimately, though, the Celtics should have enough firepower to take care of business at home, even without Horford in the lineup. The key for Boston will be to not look too far ahead to their upcoming showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

In the NBA, every game is important, and the Celtics can’t afford to take any opponent lightly, especially as they jockey for positioning in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With Porzingis back in the fold and Tatum playing at an MVP level, the Celtics should be able to handle the Pistons and keep their momentum rolling.