Celtics' Marcus Smart: Muffled in season-ending defeat
Rotowire
Smart totaled nine points (4-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds, nine assists and two steals across 38 minutes during Thursday's 103-90 loss to Golden State in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
The reigning DPOY was a stout offensive contributor for Boston in the Finals, averaging 15.2 points per game while connecting on 38.9 percent of his threes. Poor in the Game 6 defeat, the Celtics were thoroughly outplayed and trailed sizably for most of the contest. Nonetheless, on the heels of an excellent campaign, Smart is under contract with Boston through 2026.
Smart registered 20 points (7-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and two assists across 40 minutes during Monday's 104-94 loss to Golden State in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Smart continued to do well as a scorer, as he has posted at least 18 points in four of the five Finals games thus far. The recently crowned Defensive Player of the Year didn't post any defensive stats Monday, however, and he turned the ball over four times. Smart has made an impact in the series with averages of 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.6 three-pointers and 1.4 thefts, but Boston trails 3-2 and is one loss away from elimination heading into Game 6.
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Posts big stat line in Game 3 win
Rotowire
Smart contributed 24 points (8-17 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-7 FT), seven rebounds and five assists in 39 minutes during Wednesday's 116-100 victory over Golden State in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Smart was one of three Celtics players to score 20-plus points Wednesday, and he contributed as both a rebounder and distributor with seven rebounds and five assists. The point guard was relatively efficient with an 8-for-17 shooting line and knocked down multiple three-pointers for the third time in his past four playoff games. This was a big bounce-back effort for Smart after he scored just two points on 1-of-6 shooting in Game 2.
Smart totaled two points (1-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt), two rebounds, five assists and one steal across 25 minutes during Sunday's 107-88 loss to Golden State in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He also had five turnovers.
Engaging in mental and physical warfare with fellow scrapper Draymond Green, Smart was canceled out of the box score with an extremely quiet performance. Smart had combined for four turnovers over his past four games prior to some carelessness Sunday. Additionally, Smart had connected on at least one three in every playoff contest until Sunday. He'll look to be better across the board in Game 3.
