Subscribe
Follow Us
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown may take the spotlight at times, but the impact of Marcus Smart is every bit as important. He is the heart and soul of this Boston team and constantly leaves it all on the court. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year will be tasked with chasing Steph Curry around for most of the series. This has been circled as the premier matchup in the NBA Finals. Smart has had success on Curry in the past but this is no easy task. The Oklahoma State product is sure to have a massive impact in the series regardless.
He may be known for his defense, but Marcus Smart certainly can have an impact on the offensive side of the ball. The scrappy guard has averaged 15.5 points, 6.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals throughout these playoffs. Smart trails just Tatum and Brown in scoring on the Celtics this postseason. This scoring total is a notable increase over the 12.1 points he averaged during the regular season.
2022 NBA Finals Odds: Marcus Smart series points average
Click here for FanDuel odds on Marcus Smart scoring average for NBA Finals
Marcus Smart scoring: Over 14.5 (+102)
Marcus Smart scoring: Under 14.5 (-130)
The uptick in offensive production from Marcus Smart has been exciting to see this postseason. Smart has recorded over 14.5 points in eight of the fifteen postseason matchups he has been active for. An ankle injury has kept him out of three games in the postseason and is still hampering him.
Even so, the Celtics point guard is coming off his most impressive offensive performance in the Game 7 victory over the Miami Heat. The 28-year-old tallied 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists while knocking down three three-pointers. Smart has scored twenty or more points in five different games this postseason.
With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown set to demand so much defensive attention, there is certainly room for Marcus Smart to capitalize. Smart has not been afraid to let it fly this postseason. He has increased his three-point attempts from 5.1 in the regular season to 6.9 in the postseason. His overall field-goal attempts have also increased from 10.1 in the regular season to 13.3 in the playoffs.
When looking at the matchups, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins will likely be tasked with guarding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. There has been so much talk about Marcus Smart guarding Steph Curry, but not nearly as much about the possibility of Curry guarding Smart. While Curry has become a much-improved defender, this is still a matchup the Celtics should seek out. Smart is oftentimes the shortest player on the floor for the Celtics so the Warriors do not have much of a choice but to put the 6'2″ guard on him.
He may not be the best isolation scorer, but Marcus Smart is certainly capable of getting a bucket. Both Green and Wiggins have impressed greatly with their defensive performances throughout the playoffs. If they are having success against Tatum and Brown, the Celtics will certainly need Smart to step up. There is little margin for error in the postseason and each team will be in search of any advantage they can find. The Steph Curry vs Marcus Smart matchup is one that is certain to play a major role. While his defensive impact will be highlighted the most, do not let the need for Smart's offense get overshadowed.
