C’s hope to tap into Smart energy usage
MILWAUKEE — The Celtics added mayhem to the menu Tuesday night, and now get to put that chaotic element back in play tonight in Game 6.
That element, of course, is the Marcus Smart effect, which in the course of one game has seemingly flipped the tone of this first-round series. The Celtics, with a 3-2 edge and the possibility that they could open their second-round series Saturday night at home against Philadelphia, stole back some momentum with Tuesday night’s emotional Game 5 win.
Emotional, because that is how Smart changes a game. He returned from a six-week layoff while recovering from thumb surgery, crashed to the floor for his first loose ball 33 seconds into his first appearance on the floor, and wrapped up the win with a game-clinching pass to Al Horford while prone on the floor in the midst of three Bucks.
And what he contributes tonight will be no different. No matter how well he shoots, Smart will be the most consistent player on the floor.
“Marcus is the only guy I can say this about: He’s been here for four years,” said Brad Stevens. “So, I know him. We’ll ride with what he’s done for us. Without question he’s going to have some rusty moments, but that’s all right. That’s part of it.”
Except that rust has nothing to do with the most vital part of Smart’s game.
“You can look at stat sheets all you want, with Marcus it just doesn’t tell the story,” Stevens said. “It’s ... it’s his energy, it’s his emotion, it’s little plays that turn out to be game-changing plays like diving on the floor and flipping it to Al.
“The blocks, you know coming over when Shabazz Muhammad was really rolling and going up vertically and challenging his shot, making him miss. Like, those are huge plays. And we have other guys that are making them when he hasn’t been here, but he makes them every night. He makes them every night that he plays.”
It’s not a coincidence that the Bucks had their worst offensive game of the series, with their lowest scoring output (87 points) and worst shooting performance (36.8 overall, 26.3 from 3-point range), with Smart back in the business of changing games with his hustle.
Teammates picked up on his defensive lead, with Semi Ojeleye’s strong coverage of Giannis Antetokounmpo (16 points, only 10 shots) one example.
But now the Celtics are headed back to the Bradley Center, where their last three appearances, including Games 3 and 4, have found them swallowed whole by the intensity of the Bucks’ home crowd and its effect on the team.
Khris Middleton, the true thorn in the Celtics’ side in this series, has been able to scorch the shorter C’s guards with his long reach and flawless jumper. Perhaps Smart has something to say about that matchup tonight.
“Defensively, you see some of those crazy plays,” said Jaylen Brown, referring to a late-game battle Smart had with Antetokounmpo for a loose ball. “If it comes down to it, I had to put my money on anybody — no matter who it is, any sport — I’m putting my money on Smart coming up with that ball.
“It for sure helped. His presence is felt. Defensively, what Marcus does, its an added benefit. When he’s on the floor, we’re a better team.”
And as a result, the Bucks know how the game will change tonight, with an asset the Celtics haven’t been able to take on the road in six weeks.
“What I thought he would bring to the game is energy and defensively trying to make plays, and that’s what he did,” said Middleton. “I could do a better job of knowing where he’s at defensively. I don’t know if he’s going for the steal, to draw the foul, or what not. He’s just going to work.
“He’s a great player — smart player, crafty. We just got to figure out how to contain him better next game and not let him make those many plays.”