The Boston Celtics have officially punched their ticket to the NBA Finals after their bloodbath in the Conference Finals. This is the franchise's 22nd Finals trip and one they had to greatly earn. It is a difficult matchup with the Golden State Warriors who have cruised through the Western Conference this offseason. The franchise is in search of its fourth title in the past eight years and is as threatening as ever.

All eyes will be on Jayson Tatum who has taken another step in his superstar ascension in these playoffs. The 24-year-old is averaging 27 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.2 steals during the playoffs. He also is shooting 37.5% on three-pointers and has stepped up his defensive effort in a major way. Tatum has impacted just about every area of the game for the Celtics and is certain to be the focal point in the NBA Finals as well.

While Tatum's importance cannot be denied, there may be another guy who could be more impactful in this series.

Marcus Smart is the Celtics' X-Factor in 2022 NBA Finals

There is no other player in the NBA who wears his heart on his sleeve in the same way Marcus Smart does. The competitive nature he possesses and the ability to leave it all on the court is essential to the Celtics. His heroic return after a scary-looking ankle injury in Game 3 of the Conference Finals uplifted the entire team and stadium. His emotions and intensity should not take away from the fact that he has developed into a key contributor on the court. During these playoffs, he has averaged 15.5 points, 6.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

While Marcus Smart has received plenty of recognition for his high-level defense, as evidenced by his Defensive Player of the Year award this season, he will be challenged greatly in this series. The trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole is a difficult task for any defense. The threatening Boston defense has been terrific throughout the playoffs, but they have not faced the high-power offense of Golden State. The Warriors' ability to move off-ball and create for each other is daunting for opposing defenses.

The Warriors can swing the momentum of a game quicker than any team in the NBA. Their barrage of three-pointers makes them feel unstoppable when they connect at a high clip. In a half-court setting, there is no question about Marcus Smart's ability to match up with just about anyone. In fact, Smart has been the most efficient defender of Steph Curry as he has shot just 29% from the field with Marcus Smart as his primary defender.

However, the advanced screen-setting and off-ball movement create a new challenge for the scrappy guard. This is not new to the Warriors scheme but is certain to be a point of emphasis. Golden State is sure to do everything possible to free up their willing catch-and-shooters. While switch-ability is a strength of the Celtics' defense, Boston should attempt to keep Smart glued to Curry as much as possible.

This battle between Marcus Smart and Steph Curry is set to have a major impact on the series. Each player must step up to the plate. Marcus Smart is never one to shy away from a challenge and is sure to embrace this role. However, the number of weapons the Warriors possess makes it a difficult task for Boston. Expect Marcus Smart to bring his best effort and provide the winning tenacity that he is known for. There is such little margin for error with the championship at stake. The matchup between Smart and Curry is sure to hold great weight for both teams.