The Boston Celtics face the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday and they will be getting a familiar face back as they look to take a 2-1 series lead.
DPOY Marcus Smart, who missed Game 2 due to a thigh contusion, is available to play in Milwaukee. Via Marc Stein:
The Celtics say Marcus Smart is available to play today against Milwaukee.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 7, 2022
Smart dealt with a similar injury in January, forcing him to miss six games. The Celtics guard reaggravated it in Game 1 and had to sit in Game 2 because of all the fluid building around his knee.
Even without their best defender though, Boston was able to blowout Giannis and the Bucks in a very impressive all-around performance. They did a fantastic job on containing The Greek Freak for most of the game, aside from his big third quarter.
Smart's presence defensively is obviously huge, but he's also a decent playmaker and a guy who can drain shots for Ime Udoka's squad. Smart is expected to start with no minute restrictions on Saturday, which is a massive boost for the Celtics. The point guard is averaging 15.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in five playoff games thus far.
The Celtics and Bucks will tip off at 3:30 PM ET at Fiserv Forum. Boston will need Marcus Smart healthy moving forward if they're going to make a title run.
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