Per an official injury report from the Boston Celtics, Celtics veteran big man Al Horford has been listed as questionable for Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers due to an illness. The Celtics defeated the Pacers, 84-74, in Game 1 to take an early series lead over Indiana.
Horford hasn’t been the perfect picture of health this season and the illness is unspecified so it’s difficult to surmise how long he may need to recover. However, without Horford, Boston will likely start power forward Marcus Morris in his place with center Aron Baynes having been moved to the starting lineup with nine games left in the Celtics’ regular season to bolster their deteriorating defense.
Like Horford, Morris is able to score from all three levels and provides a positive defensive impact as well. Horford is the superior facilitator (and rim-protector), perhaps forcing Boston to play Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, two of their better facilitators, more than they would has Horford been healthy.
Nonetheless, Morris should be able to provide enough impact on both ends to make starting him a smart decision for Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.
Morris recorded 20 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes in Game 1 with Pacers head coach Nate McMillan singling Morris out as a defensive catalyst for Boston. Horford struggled in the beginning of Game 1 but would finish the game with 10 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 32 minutes.
