Celtics
The Celtics got hot early and never looked back.
Marcus Smart was important to the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Photo by Eric Espada / Getty Images
What changed Marcus Smart in 127-102 match 2 between the Celtics and Heath?
On the one hand, the defender of the year makes the defense (surprise) much better. Smart – who came back after missing game 1 with a sprain in the middle of the step – made the switches more enjoyable. He forced the revs. He confused a Heat offense that went through the Celtics like a sharp knife through a fragile steak in the second half on Tuesday. He helped keep Heat star Jimmy Butler in check.
Smart also played defensively with his offense – the main ruler of the Celtics ball made only one turn, which prevented Heath from coming out in the transition. He also made 12 assists and scored 24 points (8-for-22, 5-for-12 over a range of 3 points).
Smart has long longed for the opportunity to be a starting defender of the Celtics, which is his favorite role on the court. In this role, he is thriving this season – the Celtics are just under six points per 100 possessions better with Smart on the floor, which is a comfortable peak in his career.
“That’s what I was called to do,” Smart said. “I just waited my turn. I am blessed to be in the situation I am in, to have the opportunity to go out and show what I can do, and I think everyone in the organization – around the world – sees what I can do in this position. ”
The Celtics were better with Al Horford also in the game, no doubt (more about his strange situation in a minute). Horford makes the Celtics a large, switchable unit that can beat opponents while hitting 3-pointer after 3-pointer in their eyes.
But on Thursday, the influence of Marcus Smart on a basketball game was fully exposed. The Celtics have a long way to go against an intelligent, well-trained opponent who knows how to win – an opponent who can get the star defender back at some point – but Thursday was a reminder that the team that gave up so easily on Tuesday was short hands and exhausted.
With a little rest and a little continuity, the Celtics looked like themselves again.
More places to go home
2. After a slow start, the Celtics hit the Heat with a series of 3 points, which caused a reversal of 21 points in the first quarter. Heath reached a 10-point lead, but the Celtics reversed that and gained an 11-point lead after a quarter, coming out 9 to 11 behind the arc in the period. They finished the game with 20-for-40 from a range of 3 points.
Expect the Heat to come up with ways to better cover the Celtics from the deep, but if they don’t, this series won’t be very long.
3. Another important adjustment: The Celtics have stopped playing so deep in drop pick-and-roll coverage against Tyler Hero, who is too good at jumping and floating to allow the big ones to sag too far. Even Robert Williams cannot cover the necessary basis to slow Hero in those eyes. After a few easy shots by Hero at the start of the match, the Celtics played significantly higher in the second half and were much better.
“We didn’t want them that far back,” Udoka said before the game, which was probably true in the first quarter as well.
Herro finished with 11 points in a 5 to 11 shot.
4. Jaylan Brown’s performance won’t be enough, but he made a few big punches. In the first quarter, he started the Celtics with a three-pointer, then crossed Max Strus in a smooth jump, which interrupted a run from Heath, which led to 10. He then kept two more three-pointers before the end of the quarter, the second of which was very deep and pushed the Celtics to 11. That stretch was critical – Jason Tatum sat for most of the first quarter after receiving his second foul.
By the time he returned, the Celtics were smoothing out the double-digit lead.
“The JB can do anything,” Tatum said. “So when he has the ball, great things will happen more often. He was just really determined, he got to his seats and just made the right game, obviously got a lot of attention there. “
5. After the match, Horford said he “felt a little uncomfortable”, which led to his test.
“We received the news on Tuesday, and then we were tested again and again and we managed to be cleared,” he said. “Just definitely a lot of emotions and during all this I just tried to stay closed, to fulfill my role in the best way. I’m happy to be there with the boys tonight. “
This seems to be the best public explanation we’ll get for Horford’s brief absence, and you can be excused for still feeling a little unclear about what just happened. Steve Bulpet told Heavy.com that Horford was considered close contact after talking to someone who later tested positive after a match, but we don’t know if Horford tested positive (it certainly seems that must have) and if he does, why suddenly his test is negative the required number of times on Thursday.
The Celtics have remained adamant in their policy of not talking about players entering health and safety protocols.
“We don’t go into detail with our boys, as we always do,” Udoka said. “But he passed the required number of tests and always felt good.”
6. Congratulations to Derrick White and his wife on welcoming their son on Thursday. Hendrix James White became the second baby Hendrix on the Celtics (Rob Williams’ son is also called Hendrix).
White was spotted flying back to Boston before Game 2.
Our caller Joe followed his call with photos of Derrick White, who is said to be traveling back to Boston. White and his wife are expecting their first child. pic.twitter.com/enFRkEQ0Uf
– Mark Bertrand (@Marc_Bertrand) May 19, 2022
7. Thursday’s loss was Miami’s first post-season home loss. The Celtics stole the home field advantage from top-ranked Heath and now have a chance to take a 2-1 lead in Boston on Saturday.
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