Al Horford changes the equation in Game 2 blowout

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesThe box score for Al Horford’s return to the Boston Celtics lineup after a one-game absence doesn’t look particularly special. The big man (who turns 36 in a few short weeks) scored 10 points (4-of-4 shooting), grabbed three boards, dished three assists and snagged a steal and a block.

But, as is often the case with Horford, the numbers don’t really tell the full story. His presence in the Boston lineup had as much to do with Thursday night’s convincing 127-102 Game 2 win as anybody on the roster.

You may recall that Horford wasn’t a Celtic at the time of these two teams’ meeting in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals. He had, in fact, just lost to that…