Marcus Smart’s 22 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, and two steals are non-highs for a postseason career. But there is a valid argument that Smart’s Game 6 performance, in his 100th playoff game as a member of the Boston Celtics, was his most valuable performance to date.
When the Celtics’ offense needed Smart—and, at times, it desperately needed him—the veteran guard delivered. When the defense needed a jolt of energy, Smart came along. Boston probably wouldn’t play Sunday without its heroics.
“He was really paced for us from start to finish,” Joe Mazzola said post-match. “He did a great job keeping us on our toes, and he was the quarterback on our defense – him and Rob. When Smart can dictate speed like that and get us on offense and get us spaced and play with that level of solidity – it was infectious.”
The biggest story going into Game 6 was Boston fielding Robert Williams III in the starting lineup and reuniting the great duo with him and Al Horford. But this step was fraught with danger. With Derrick White headed to the bench, Boston would sacrifice shooting threat to help set the tone in the early minutes of play.
Smart’s production spacing on the floor was soon put under a microscope. On that early acquisition, he’s twice used as a catcher while the Celtics investigate Philly’s defensive coverage for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. When Tatum sees Tyrese Maxey helping his drive after delivering the dribble, he kicks it to Smart for the third open corner.
It’s a mistake – but we see a clever reference to Tatum and acknowledge the successful operation. the 76ers Constantly letting go in favor of containing the Boston Stars, Smart fell 3 of 8 three times in response. Two of them were three-knockouts but in different situations, and the design below was the result of a clever hustle to give Tatum an outlet in transition.
Smart has totaled 12 out of 18 triples in the postseason, and while we can’t predict his danger, he should continue shooting it with confidence because opportunities will arise again on Sunday.
Joel Embiid builds an inland fort for Philadelphia in this series. Embiid still got his three blocks in Game 6, but Smart showed an impressive willingness to attack MVP on drives.
With Williams’ increased presence in the lineup, Embiid had to think more about his knockout chances. Smart was allowed to drive straight at 7 feet and finish with floats and layers.
And if Embiid bites the drive, Smart won’t hesitate to throw the ball up:
In addition to Smart’s success at the half court, he added a transition pass and two assists to an earlier corner kick, and gave a much-needed shake-up to Boston’s fast resters. The Celtics have added more than five points per 100 possessions to their efficiency with transitional play, which is a healthy number when you think about the lulls that can hit this team.
Then there is defense, which can simply be defined as a martial art.
Smart had broken out the two thefts as an assistant. But some of his best work came unmarked on the box score with things like this effort to challenge Embiid’s pass generating a spin:
Clever is assigned to defend Embiid, and he fights to confront him at Al-Qaim.
Horford leaves PJ open in the corner and they force a change-up. pic.twitter.com/1PuZrePSHZ
– pull up shoot (NElGHT_) May 12, 2023
Smart doesn’t get points fund credit for this, but it’s a great terminal. Philadelphia Embiid adores those corner-point moments where he can score one-on-one or make plays in response to a double-team. Smart counters it and goes to work preventing this entry, to the point where Embiid is practically in the restricted area and in a position to allow Al Horford to help. It’s an amazing display of pure effort to make the 76ers uncomfortable.
Also, how about that high-drive spin to run George Niang off the three-point line, even after Smart’s win on the initial drive from Tyrese Maxey:
Six people go to Embiid-Harden PnR. Clever helps Maxie, and Harden wisely swings him.
Maxi did a great job attacking late strikes, but missed a touchdown to Tobias as Brogdon and JB turned him, while Smart flake into the corner.
Great contest from JB. pic.twitter.com/0zVntAoGIx
– pull up shoot (NElGHT_) May 12, 2023
or This deviation Stemming from the timely help to roll Embiid to the basket, or This movement rotates to move across the screen and Harden Competition, OR The charge drawn (Thank you NElGHT_ To post all of these clips!).
This was a standout defensive effort from Smart, who did everything he could to pull off the Sixers’ attempts to look for an advantage. His post-game quotes echo that mentality.
“We don’t want to come out of this court and say, ‘I should have done more.'” I could have done more, “and then we get mad at ourselves,” he said. “We have to go out there, and it’s got to be a dogfight. You have to be ready to get eliminated. You have to be ready to bleed. You have to be willing to take a shot in the face, to do whatever it takes to win.”
Game 7 will once again put Smart’s design to the test. He needs to shoot away from those catch and catch attempts regardless of the hot or cold line, continue to attack the basket and take advantage of his teammates’ danger, and spoil Philly’s game plan with his defensive activity.
Celtics fans shouldn’t worry about a smart power surge on Sunday. As long as it flows through the right channels, it can again be a catalyst for the atmosphere of the final match.