Getty Images
The Boston Celtics lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat largely because they were without two key starters: Marcus Smart and Al Horford. They will return both boys for Game 2 on Thursday night, as Horford and Smart are available to play, Name Udoka announced before the start.
Horford was on the league’s health and safety records, but recorded numerous negative tests in the last 24 hours while Smart was breastfeeding a sprained leg, but did enough before the game to make the team’s medical staff feel comfortable releasing him to play.
While the Celtics will benefit from the return of Horford and Smart to the squad, they will be left without guard Derrick White for Match 2 as he is away from the team to be there while his wife gives birth to their child.
Clever is extremely important to the Celtics, as he is the glue that helps keep Boston’s defense together, and although he doesn’t expose monstrous numbers in attack, his pass is a critical component of their attack at this end of the floor. 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.
Please check the checkbox to confirm that you want to subscribe.
Thank you for registering!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
I’m sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
In Game 6 against Milwaukee, Smart scored 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while being a pest 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.
Game 2 will be crucial for Boston, as they do not want to lag behind 0-2 in the series, so the return of these two key figures should only help the Celtics cause.
Add Comment