Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart defines true grit in Game 3 upset victory

Isaiah Thomas was not walking through that door, but Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart did and he showed up in a big way.

Marcus Smart won’t let the Boston Celtics go quietly into the night.

Following a 44-point embarrassing loss in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the No. 1 seed Celtics weren’t given a chance at all. With no Isaiah Thomas and going up against the LeBron James super team, Game 3 appeared destined to turn into another night of absolute destruction.

Down by more than 20 points in the third quarter of Monday night’s game, it appeared to be just that. The Cleveland Cavaliers were riding the hot shooting of Kevin Love and things just didn’t appear to be going the Celtics way. But, a man by the name of Smart played smart and fearless throughout the night and inspired his team to victory.

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With a career-high 27 points, Smart nailed 7 three-pointers and basically outplayed James in one of the most improbable victories in NBA history. In ways the 111-108 victory was more about the Cavaliers lack of focus, but in more than a few ways it was about a player and a team that refuses to die and steps up when everyone in the NBA world puts them down.

Stepping up when it counts

The Oklahoma State product was simply amazing. Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens knew this was the type of game Marcus Smart had in him. All season long, he supported the third-year guard through his shooting slumps. On Tuesday night, all of that support and confidence paid off in a major way.

"“We can talk about his shooting all year long,” Stevens said, via NBA.com. “But you know when it’s in a big moment, that kid is going to rise to the occasion. He just always has. That’s one of the reasons why if he goes through a funk at some time in March, shoot yourself out of it, and we believe in you, and let it fly. Because in this moment when we needed him most, he made huge shots.”"

The great thing about Smart, although at times frustrating, is that he is not afraid to shoot the ball. Along with his great defense and smart decision making, Smart’s hot hand helped propel the Celtics back into the game and the series.

They may not win the series, but the experience of the moment will be monumental for the Boston Celtics as a team going forward. They have the No. 1 pick overall in this year’s draft as well as two prior lottery picks stepping up and earning valuable time on the court.

While Jaylen Brown, 2016 No. 3 pick overall, was the lone bright spot in Game 2, Marcus Smart, the 2014 No. 6 pick overall, brought the leadership in Game 3.

Next: Boston Celtics: I was wrong, this series isn’t over after all

It could be the kind of game that turns him into a star. If not a star, Smart is proving to be one heck of a role player.

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