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Jason Tatum and Marcus Smart two of the main heroes of the Celtics
Marcus Smart contributed. It provided the energy boost the Celtics needed to get the win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.
Now, with home-court advantage in the series, Boston will be looking to win. win at home, the TD Garden, on Saturday, in the third game.
And in a series in which the roles have been reversed, Miami the team that deals with injury problems. The opportunity to lead the series represents a positive change for Boston, which was trying to catch up with Milwaukee throughout the conference semifinals before winning Games 6 and 7. The Celtics are 4-0 after a postseason loss.
Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart said his goal is to show off the edge that has made him famous in Boston.
I told my colleagues so they don’t have to force themselves so much”, he indicated. Smart. “So that they are as they are”.
After missing Game 1 with a sprained foot, Smart watched as Boston was outscored 39-14 in the third quarter en route to a 118-107 loss. In the second duel he contributed. with 24 points and 12 assists in the Celtics’ 127-102 victory. supported It was a big night from Jayson Tatum (27 points), Jaylen Brown (24) and Al Horford with 10 points in 32 minutes after he missed the game. the first series of the playoffs after entering the health protocols.
“I said to myself, you are going to play the second game,” Smart said. “No matter what As injured as you are, you have to try.”
Boston coach Ime Udoka said the consensus after the first game was that the Heat faster than his team. The Miami scheme did not change. in Game 2, but the Celtics matched the Heat’s ruthlessness and intensity. “We pride ourselves on being one of the toughest teams,” Udoka. “We knew that if we equaled him we were going to be in good shape.”