Season opener vs. Celtics ‘not just another game' for Al Horford

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NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-76ers starts at 6:30pm Wednesday with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike & Scal have the call of the game at 7:30pm.

There's plenty to look forward to in the Celtics' season opener vs. the 76ers on Wednesday night. But perhaps the most notable storyline is Al Horford lining up on the opposite side after spending the three years in Boston.

Horford readily admits it won't feel quite right going up against his former C's teammates, especially given the rivalry between the two Eastern Conference foes. The 33-year-old veteran opened up about it after the Sixers' practice on Sunday.

“Yeah, you know, it's definitely going to be weird for me — different — facing my former team,” Horford said, per Paul Hudrick of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “It's probably as good of a scenario as it can be, first game of the year. It's definitely going to be different. It's not just another game. It's a big game given the rivalry between Philly and Boston.”

Now, Horford joins Joel Embiid to form a fearsome frontcourt in Philly. The 76ers already were up there with the Milwaukee Bucks as favorites in the East, but signing Horford away from the C's certainly didn't hurt their cause.

Despite opting to sign with one of Boston's biggest competitors, it's clear there are no hard feelings between Horford, his ex-teammates, and the rest of the Celtics organization.

“It's the way this business is. I've learned that throughout the years,” Horford said. “The one thing I always take from those groups [on the Celtics] is [it’s a] great group of guys — always competing, always playing hard for one another. I really felt like I made the most out of my time when I was there.”

Tip-off for the Celtics' much-anticipated season opener at the Wells Fargo Center is set for 7:30 p.m ET. on NBC Sports Boston.

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