If you only looked at the box score for the Boston Celtics 112-99 Game 1 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, you might think that veteran point guard Marcus Smart had a middling game at best with his 11-point, 7-rebound, and 7-assist line. But the Flower Mound native put together one of his best defensive performances of the season to help propel the Celtics to the victory over Atlanta, and head coach Joe Mazzulla took note.
“He was physical,” said Mazzulla postgame. “His pickup points were great. He has a presence to be the quarterback on the defensive end where it puts us — where we’re able to change coverages, change matchups.”
