Boston Celtics are at their best when they’re getting physical in the defensive end and that was the case in Gm 2 of the series vs Miami. After missing Gm, Al Horford and Marcus Smart returned to play, and the Celtics were once again dominant.
The Celtics become more mobile and more versatile with Horford and Smart in their starting five. Especially, Smart has been a key to the Celtics’ mentality during this postseason as Boston got past the Nets and the Bucks.
“As always, he sets the tone,” Udoka told reporters. “Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. Ability to switch and switch on to bigger bodies and just another good defender to throw at (Jimmy) Butler, (Bam) Adebayo, some of those guys and not have to worry about them trying to pick on certain matchups.”
After falling behind 10 points in the opening minutes of the first quarter, the Celtics made a 17-0 run late in the first quarter to take the lead. Al Horford and Payton Pritchard fueled the Celtics with 10 points each in the first quarter.
“It was great to have the vets back,” Boston coach Ime Udoka said. “Obviously a calming presence there. Didn’t get off to a best start, obviously a little slow at the start but fought right back into it and after the first five, six minutes we held them down scoring-wise.”
Smart did not shoot the ball well, but, he almost recorded a triple-double with 24 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists along with just one turnover against the Miami’s notorious scrappy defense.
“[I take] a lot of pride,” Smart said of his point guard play. “That’s what I’ve been doing my whole career. That’s what I got drafted here to do. I just waited my turn.”
The Celtics found a response in Game 2 now they need to protect their home to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
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