Due to the sluggish state of the Milwaukee Bucks during this period and their losing streak, the Boston Celtics have returned to the top of the Eastern Conference. At home against the Western Conference powerhouse Los Angeles Clippers, both sides almost fielded their strongest lineups, and the confrontation level was considered to be full. The Clippers twin stars rarely played together. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined to score 50 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Unfortunately, they could not let the Clippers take away the victory. The statistics of Celtics double champions are even better. Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined to score 58 points and 18 rebounds.
Of course, the Celtics had the last laugh and defended their home court because other role players in the team also provided help to the two picks. After all, the Clippers actually have an advantage in terms of lineup thickness. As the starting guard of the Celtics, Marcus Smart made 7 of 15 shots and scored 17 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals. The data can be said to be very comprehensive. Moreover, Marcus Smart's assists and +10 plus/minus are both the highest on the Celtics. It can be said that Marcus Smart is the hero behind the scenes of the Celtics. Even if he does not score too many points, his importance is self-evident. This soul figure in the Green Army has made a strong return.
Marcus Smart has been playing for the Celtics since he entered the league. He is quite iron-blooded and tough on the court, which perfectly matches the Celtics' style of play. As the No. 6 pick in the first round in 2014, Marcus Smart has not become an All-Star, but his role for the Celtics is not small. Especially Marcus Smart is extremely reliable on the defensive end. So far in his career, Marcus Smart has entered the league's All-Defensive Team three times.
Although the Celtics have missed the championship in recent years, we all know that last season, the Celtics reached the finals again after 11 years. Not to mention that since entering the league, Marcus Smart has followed the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals three times. It can be seen that he is also a winner, but he is slightly unlucky. Marcus Smart's role for the Celtics is not only on the court, but even in the locker room, Marcus Smart also has a lot of say. He can be called the spiritual leader of the Celtics.
Including the game against the Clippers, Marcus Smart played four games after his comeback and performed in all of them. Against Minnesota Timberwolves , Marcus Smart scored 6 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals; against the direct competitor Milwaukee Bucks, Marcus Smart scored 6 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists; against the Houston Rockets, who are at the bottom of the Western Conference, Marcus Smart showed off his skills and scored 9 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. During this period, the Celtics won four consecutive games, and Marcus Smart's return seemed to revitalize the team.
Marcus Smart has made comprehensive progress this season. He averaged 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 42.8% from the field and 35% from the three-point range. Many statistics set new career highs. The Celtics have many defenders, but Payton Pritchard is relatively inexperienced and is now gradually fading out of the main rotation; Malcolm Brogdon, who just joined the Celtics this summer, obviously performed better as a substitute, and Malcolm Brogdon has glass attributes, so injury risks cannot be ignored after all; even Derek White, who joined in the second half of last season, does not seem to be very adaptable to the new system after the Celtics changed their head coach this season.
Especially some time ago, the Celtics were in a sluggish state and were even double-killed by the underdog Orlando Magic. This seems a bit exaggerated. Fortunately, Marcus Smart returned strongly. After his comeback, he helped the Celtics stabilize their position and the Celtics got back on the track of victory.Today's Celtics record continues to lead the league. Compared with last season, the Celtics' hope of winning the championship has become greater. The Bucks in the East have an incomplete lineup, and "Antetokounmpo" Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to be out of shape. As for teams such as the Nets and 76ers, they rely too much on their main players, and the second lineup is really weak. The overall strength of the teams in the Western Conference is very close, but none of them are particularly outstanding, and it seems difficult to pose much threat to the Celtics.
So with strong troops and a very reasonable and balanced lineup, the Celtics will definitely hope to avenge their past humiliation and make up for the regrets of last season's finals. With the current decline of the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics are undoubtedly the strongest team on paper, and in the playoffs where the bayonet is red, defense becomes even more important. In this regard, Marcus Smart has always been a key piece. In theory, he can move from point guard to small ball center. Coupled with the increasingly stable and calm offensive end, Marcus Smart is bound to become an indispensable key role for the Celtics.
