Behind Marcus Smart's Heroics, The Celtics Finally Came Through With A Big Clutch Time Win

Brian Babineau. Getty Images.

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We all needed a win like last night. A tough, 90s throwback dogfight against a top 4 NBA defense where not only we saw this team execute on both ends in the clutch, but Marcus Smart was right in the middle of it. We needed it, the players needed it, especially coming off the dick kicking that was the Sixers game. I'll say it for the millionth time, no singular game is going to change the Celtics season. That's not what these last 20 games are about. It's about building better habits, playing the right way, and building whatever sort of momentum you can for the postseason. You do that, you could very well find yourself with a top 4 seed. When you woke up this morning you saw the Celts were just 1.0 games back from the 4 spot. Despite them mostly playing like dogshit all year, the season is not lost. They just have to continue to take steps forward.

Which is why games like last night are important. Considering the last time these two teams played the Celts got waxed by 30, they couldn't let things really spiral and get away from them as they approach the end of this homestand. Sometimes games like the one against PHI carry over and snowball. It wouldn't have been a surprise if we saw that happen to this group, but instead, when they found themselves in a tough game against an elite defense, they kept punching back. When things got tight, they came through. It's been a lonnnnnnnng time since we've seen that. 

You could argue that maybe this is the type of win that could help spark something, but I'll hold off on that. We've been in this spot before just to see the Celts not be able to build off it, so it's not exactly a guarantee. I just know last night was something we all needed to see and experience. A collective exhale if you will.

With that said, let's dive in

The Good

- Maybe you thought this was going to be a blog where we start with Jaylen, who was great. I'm going to switch it up because I already know Jaylen is awesome. We'll get to him. You know who I was most impressed with last night and someone who deserves a big time shout out? Tristan Thompson.

Guy had Covid, missed 13 games, and in his first game since March 14th, he was great. His energy was way better than I expected it to be for a guy making return, and it was clear how much it helped. Thompson was active as hell on the class, was as solid defensively as we've seen maybe all season, and there is no denying he made an impact in his 22 minutes. He finished a +24!!

Early in the year, there's no doubt he struggled a little bit. I think a lot of that has to do with that double big lineup. He looks so much more comfortable as the sole big, and that's why I think we can all agree his future on this roster is being the primary backup big on the second unit with Fournier when everyone is healthy. Throw him some stints with the starters as well when Rob needs a break or gets into foul trouble. He had really started to turn around his play before he got covid, and that's going to be an important piece moving forward if this is the Tristan Thompson the Celts continue to get.

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- And of course, then there was Jaylen. To me, this looked like the All NBA Jaylen we saw to start the year. The biggest difference to me was his aggressiveness right from the start. He attacked relentlessly. I'd say he looked much more active on both ends and I don't know if his knee is feeling better or what, but this is the Jaylen we all know and love

32/10/3 with 2 steals and 1 block in 36 minutes. 5 3PM. In the fourth quarter when the team needed the Jays to step up, he went 3-6. Once again it was Jaylen that set the tone early (12 points) in the first quarter which is sneaky becoming a thing. Did you know Jaylen leads the team with 7.1 first quarter points on 48/43% shooting? That's without a doubt the best of the top 4 players on this team. 

When you're coming off a performance like the PHI game, it's on your franchise players to respond immediately and make sure shit doesn't snowball. That's what Jaylen…and for the most part Jayson did. 

- Tatum had a weird night. He started slow again, which is definitely concerning because it happens way too frequently, and he had a career high 8 TOs which is very bad, but like Jaylen, he was there when it mattered

The man still finished with 25/10/5 on 10-21 shooting. Some of his turnovers were tough because the Knicks kept sending a free runner at him, some were just flat out bad decisions on Tatum's part, but he showed up in the fourth quarter. 7 big points on 50/50% shooting, he was unselfish, he was solid defensively and for the most part in the second half he finally started attacking the rim. Finishing the game with only 2 FTA certainly needs to improve, and I get why it's frustrating at times when he doesn't always drive to the rim but when he does he becomes a different player. 

- I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but Romeo is shooting 50% from three on the season. Be honest, did you know he could do this?

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I'll be honest I gasped. I find it hilarious that for a player that is a slasher/driver for whatever reason he cannot hit a layup yet has come out and been nails from three. That feels backwards but whatever. He still has a long way to go but I like what I'm seeing from Romeo as he works his way back.

- And then there was the hero of the night. When it comes to Marcus Smart, it's important to tell the truth. Since he came back from his injury, he hasn't been all that great. His defense has regressed pretty much from the start of the season. At the same time, he has the ability to directly impact winning. The Celtics do not win this game without Marcus Smart, and not just because of what he did in the fourth quarter. I'm talking his entire night

This is the version of Marcus Smart we all crave. A solid 17/4/9 with just 2 TOs, his shot selection was in control and in big moments he rose to the occasion. Two gigantic fourth quarter threes including the game winner, a huge offensive putback in the fourth, these are the moments we talk about when talking about Smart making winning plays. It hasn't always happened this year, there have been times where he's done more harm than good, but he is a guy I will go to war with every single time.

I also want to point out something that I feel is pretty important. Remember the heave in that NO game where everyone wanted to ship him off the planet? He's quietly been much better since then, especially when it comes to his shot selection. It's like that moment was a wakeup call and he's gone back to his intended role of a defender/playmaker first and shooter second. It's no surprise that he's suddenly shooting the ball much better. Look at his games since that moment

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8-10 FGA for Smart is the sweet spot for me. When he has around the same amount of assists as FGA, this team looks better offensively. You're telling me you wouldn't take 44/44% shooting from Smart which is what he's done to start this month? I know I would.

The Bad

- I am legit shocked that Rob finished with 0 assists in his 24 minutes. He's the second best passer on the team. It did feel like they weren't really using him as often as a high post passer which was odd because that works so well. I just don't want that to be something they move away from. Especially when this roster is filled with wings that can be so effective at cutting without the ball. Maybe it'll just be a one game thing, but I thought that was weird.

- Outside of Thompson, the bench was pretty much garbage. It's clear how important Evan Fournier is. There's just no one else right now that you can comfortably rely on as a consistent offensive option. That makes it tough and part of the reason we see these scoring droubts. Especially in games Kemba doesn't play. He's not some savior, but his skillset is exactly what the team was missing in a game like this where defenses tighten up on the Jays because they don't have to worry about the other guys. At the very least, Fournier draws attention.

- It goes without saying that Tatum cannot turn the ball over 8 times. In the PHI game it was Smart with 6, and last night Tatum had half of the team's 17 TOs by himself. This team has to find a way to stop playing so loose with the basketball. They aren't good enough offensively right now to be doing that shit. The worst part is a lot of these turnovers we're seeing over the last 2 games is due to lazy basketball. It's so annoying.

- I wouldn't exactly say the Celts did that great a job at defending the perimeter in this game either. The Knicks finished with 16 3PM on 48% shooting. The Celts prob got a little lucky that Randle struggled so much from the floor, otherwise, this game has a different ending. I still think this is a major weakness for this team and something we haven't really seen improve at all this season. That for sure worries me.

The Ugly

- Imagine calling this an offensive foul, then reviewing it and STILL calling it an offensive foul

That is so comically bad I don't even know how to spin it.

Then, we also have Jayson Tatum very clearly getting hit in the head on a dunk, which is a no call

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Fucking Tony Brothers you asshole. Just so bad on every level. It's been this way all year for whatever reason. Can you imagine what this season might look like if Jaylen/Tatum got the same whistle as every other All Star player? It's at the point where it's not even debatable that they have a much different whistle for whatever reason and probably why they bitch so much. I mean what are we even doing? 

So look, let's call this what it was. A much needed good win to help prevent a snowball spiral in the wrong direction. A game they finally showed up in the clutch. That's it. The wrap things up tomorrow with MIN and then have a huge West Coast trip with DEN/POR/LAL. If this team is going to find a way to make a run at the 4 spot, they are going to have to play a whole lot more like last night. The opportunity is there for them once again, now hopefully they don't let it slip….again.