The Boston Celtics will begin the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat without two starters after announcing that Marcus Smart and Al Horford will be eliminated for Game 1 on Tuesday night. Smart has already been singled out as dubious after receiving a mid-leg sprain in Sunday’s 7th game against the Milwaukee Bucks in the previous round, so there was always a 50-50 chance he could come together. Horford will be removed after being included in the COVID League’s health and safety protocols.
Smart underwent an MRI scan on Monday on his right leg and the image returned clean, according to ESPN, which is encouraging news for the Celtics in the long run. But being without a protective posture is not the perfect place to be right now.
Smart, who was named NBA’s best defender of the year a few weeks ago, was an integral part of Boston’s victory over Bucks in the second round of the playoffs. In Game 6, he scored 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while being damaged in defense to help extend the Celtics’ streak. He followed suit with 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in game 7 and finished the game with a plus-18. Smart’s defense is the glue that helps keep Boston’s defense together, and although he doesn’t expose monstrous numbers in an attack, the Celtics need to cross him. He helps move the ball if Boston becomes too stagnant, and does a great job of putting his teammates in a position to look good. His 39.4 percent of the 3-point range was also an additional weapon the Celtics used against the Bucks.
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Celtics coach Ime Udoka said in a shooting on Tuesday that Smart had tested the foot, but some pain persisted.
“Yes, he is still quite ill,” Udoka said. “He’s testing a little here and we hope he’s feeling better, but there’s some pain here, a little swelling and we’re going to watch him all day, we’re going to get some treatment and he’s still going to be called suspicious.”
Being without Smart has always been an opportunity for the Celtics, but announcing Horford’s removal due to health and safety protocols is a blow to Boston. These two boys are perhaps the most important for Boston’s defense, and Horford’s offensive performance was key to Boston’s victory in Game 4 away against Bucks in the second round.
ESPN reports that Boston is also ready to be without Horford for Game 2 on Thursday in Miami if the big man fails to clear the protocols in time.
With these two key players out, this will put more responsibility on the shoulders of guys like Jason Tatum, Jaylan Brown and others to step up in defense.
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