Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is the type of player that wears his heart on his sleeve, and he let all those emotions out following another disappointing defeat to the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday. Shortly after the Celtics' 101-106 loss to the Heat, the 6-foot-3 defensive specialist reportedly let out an expletive tirade directed at someone from his team as soon as he got to the locker room. Per ESPN's Malika Andrews:
Marcus Smart is screaming at someone in the Celtics locker room — or several people. The yelling continues as Smart exits the locker room, swearing.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 18, 2020
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe had a more detailed description of the locker room scene involving Smart in Orlando.
Marcus Smart is screaming in the #Celtics locker room and there is a bunch of arguing going on. Smart comes out say “y’all on that bullshit!” Team is imploding. Smart is in bathroom and there is still screaming coming from locker room.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020
Smart wasn’t the only one yelling. There were definitely items thrown and a lot of yelling. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020
Been outside a bunch of locker rooms in my days. That’s was as raucous as I’ve ever heard. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020
Marcus Smart's frustration comes from the fact that the Celtics lost a second consecutive close game that could have gone either way in the closing minutes. They now trail 2-0 in their best-of-seven series. The NBA All-Defensive First Team member recorded 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block on Thursday. Smart drained 5-of-13 of his field goals and went 20for-6 from downtown in 38 minutes of action.
The Celtics were actually in control of the game in the first half and held a 60-47 lead in the first 24 minutes of play. But they came out cold after halftime, as they got outscored by 20 points by Miami, 37-17, in the third period. The team traded huge buckets in the closing minutes of the fourth, but it was the Heat's resilience on both ends of the floor that prevailed.
Kemba Walker led the Celtics with 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had 21 apiece. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, meanwhile, must find a way to keep tensions low inside that Celtics locker room before the pivotal Game 3. Marcus Smart is his best defender on the floor, and will be a critical piece to avoid going down an 0-3 hole.
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