Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart hinted Thursday it was very likely he would play in Game 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday after missing Tuesday's Game 2 with a thigh contusion. Sure enough, Celtics head coach Ime Udoka announced Friday Smart's probable status for the pivotal contest.

Smart got beat up real good in the Game 1 loss to the Bucks, suffering the thigh injury and a shoulder injury as well. The thigh injury turned out to be worse despite the shoulder injury looking worse in the moment, shockingly keeping him out of Game 2.

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It was no matter for the Celtics, though, as they bounced back from their ugly Game 1 showing to demolish the Bucks in a much-needed Game 2 victory to tie the series at 1-1. With the series shifting to Milwaukee, Boston is now set to get the Defensive Player of the Year back in the lineup.

The Celtics put forth a masterful defensive effort without Smart in Game 2, showing just how impressive they are on that end of the floor as a team. Al Horford and Grant Williams have done an admirable job forcing Giannis Antetokounmpo into poor shooting numbers, and Udoka deserves a lot of credit for the game plan and the adjustments made for Game 2.

Getting Smart back should only help as Boston heads into a hostile environment. Milwaukee will surely punch back on its home court, so the Celtics will need to be ready for anything. Having Smart available will make it easier to sustain that punch.