The Boston Celtics lost Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Miami Heat on Tuesday after an impressive performance from Heat star Jimmy Butler.
Butler went off for a game-high 41 points and at times looked unstoppable against the short-handed Celtics. Boston will certainly need to figure out a game plan on how to stop Butler if they have any chance of advancing to the NBA Finals.
That plan may hinge on the health of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, who missed Game 1 of this series due to a mid-foot sprain he sustained in the team’s final game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Smart notably played a big part in slowing down Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo despite being severely outsized, holding him to only 2-6 shooting with four points in 29 possessions in Game 7 where he was his primary defender.
Marcus Smart guarded Giannis on 29 possessions and allowed 4 points on 2-6 shooting
He guarded Jrue Holiday on 13 possessions and allowed 4 points
He guarded Grayson Allen on 11 possessions and allowed 0 points
Put some respect on the Defensive Player Of The Year
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) May 16, 2022
We now have what could be promising news that Celtics fans are extremely excited to hear.
Reports emerged on Wednesday that Smart is eyeing a return for Game 2 on Thursday against the Heat depending on how he responds to the next 36 hours of treatment.
Many Celtics fans are extremely excited to see Smart potentially be back on the court in what could be a crucial game, given that they’re already facing a 1-0 deficit in the series.
There is also some bad news for Celtics fans, as the team does not anticipate center Al Horford to play in Game 2 as he deals with the NBA’s health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID just four hours before Tuesday’s game.
This is a big blow for the Celtics to be without Horford for at least Game 2. He had a great series against the Bucks, averaging 13.0 points per game with 10.4 rebounds per game, and has been an anchor on defense the team can rely on.
https://twitter.com/MIASportsFan13/status/1526972912871383040
https://twitter.com/lil_squeakk/status/1526962028115550209
Smart won't be 100%. I don't love whats happening with Game 2 https://t.co/aCJwKGCJws
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) May 18, 2022
Marcus saw that 3rd quarter and knew he was needed https://t.co/sdI5PqID78
— Matt (@mat1y_p) May 18, 2022
Good.. but not having Al against Bam sucks. https://t.co/fIGsVWduO9
— Redacted (@bogus_buckets) May 18, 2022
Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said after Tuesday’s game that the team “got out-toughed” by the Heat. Boston star guard Jaylen Brown echoed the same sentiments, saying that the team “was not prepared without Smart or Al (Horford).”
There aren’t too many guards who are more physical than Marcus Smart, so getting him back in Game 2 would be a huge boost to the team as they look to even up the series to one game apiece on Thursday.
