Celtics fans will love Tatum and Brown's praise for Al Horford after Game 4 win

The Boston Celtics are on the verge of punching their ticket to the second round of the playoffs. Thanks to a 107-98 win over the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center, they'll return to TD Garden with a 3-1 series lead.

At the center of that was Jayson Tatum's 37-point, 14-rebound performance. The soon-to-be four-time All-NBA First Team selection reinforced why he's a member of the league's upper echelon.

Tatum repeatedly was the aggressor, initiating contact to create separation before pouring in one basket after another, leading the Celtics to a pivotal win with the long-term in mind.

Al Horford shines when it matters the most

While Tatum delivered a spectacular performance, it's for not if Al Horford doesn't rise to the occasion in the final frame.

Horford finished with six points, six rebounds, and five blocks. He became the second player in NBA history to record five blocks in a playoff game at age 38 or older, per Celtics Stats. The other is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

But Horford's impact in Game 4 is hardly captured by the box score.

The 17-year-veteran picked up Corey Joseph full-court, pressing him as he brought the ball up or forcing it out of his hands entirely. He sent a Joseph layup attempt soaring out of bounds. The five-time All-Star made one winning play after another to help Boston outscore Orlando 16-7 in the final four minutes.

"Tonight, it was the blocked shot that he had with six on the shot clock right in front of our bench, multiple blocked shots, being in the paint helping and getting out to shooters," Joe Mazzulla told Hardwood Houdini post-game.

"There should be a separate stat sheet for guys like him and the stuff that he does. A big offensive rebound for us there in the fourth quarter. Just an unbelievable competitor, made all the plays necessary to help us win."

Tatum also gushed to Hardwood Houdini about Horford's impact in a victory that tees the Celtics up to close this series on their home parquet on Tuesday.

"I can't say it enough: Al is unbelievable," voiced Tatum. "Big moments, [the] game is tied, four minutes left, and just making plays the entire night, on both ends of the floor. Thirty-eight years old, he's picking up full court, doing whatever is asked of him, and just kind of sets the tone for everybody else. He's got the heart of a champion."

Jaylen Brown echoed a similar sentiment while raving to Hardwood Houdini about Horford's role in Sunday's victory.

"Tremendous, tremendous effort from Al down the stretch in that second half," said Brown. "Big-time rebounds, some big-time plays, that block was huge. He just did what it took to win. So, we don't expect nothing less. That's just Al Horford in a nutshell."