In Wednesday night’s Celtics and Warriors matchup, the league got to see the two best defensive teams in basketball go at it. Instead of talking about Jordan Poole‘s marvelous play or Jaylen Brown‘s impressive 26 points, the talk was Marcus Smart. Smart had several plays that were deemed dirty by some fans. Smart sent a foot flying at Klay Thompson which resulted in a Flagrant One, which was well deserved. However, the most controversial play of the night should have no discussion.
Smart Plays or Dirty Move?
In the second quarter of the Celtics and Warriors game, there was a loose ball rolling down the close sideline. Three guys are in a position to get this ball, two being Warriors’ guards Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. The third guy was Marcus Smart, known for his recklessness on both ends, but all with winning in mind. As the ball gets loose, Smart and Curry look to be in the best position to make the play. While Curry was looking to perhaps get a leg out to box out Smart to get the ball, Smart had different intentions and hit the deck to get the loose ball. In the process, Smart rolled over to protect the ball, like a fumble, resulting in him diving and rolling up on Steph Curry’s ankle area.
The Warriors staff was upset with both of these Marcus Smart plays. First one was a roll up of Steph Curry’s leg that has him currently in the locker room, second ruled a flagrant on Klay Thompson. Kerr was telling refs to review both plays, mimicking a leg chop to officials. pic.twitter.com/6edSJxQszv
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 17, 2022
What would you say the play was? Warriors’ Forward Draymond Green said in his press conference “I’d expect Marcus to make that play. I can’t call that a dirty play.” Green goes on to say maybe he did not have to dive, but it seems that Green understands that Smart had no intentions of being dirty, just winning. Of course, We hope Curry is okay and it is nothing serious as he did miss the rest of the Celtics and Warriors matchup after that play.
Game Recap
Believe it or not, there was a game outside of those two plays by Smart. The Celtics gained control for basically the entire night, despite a run made by the Warriors to cut a 24-Point lead into just ten. Jordan Poole had 13 of his 29 points in the third quarter, hoping to rally his guys with Curry out and Green on a minute restriction. Sadly, for the Warriors, when the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 52 and Smart adds on 20 points on 75% shooting, it is tough to beat these guys.
The Warriors had gone two years without having Steph, Klay, and Dray. Hopefully, Curry is not out long so we can see this electrifying trio back at it soon. The Warriors sit one game behind the Grizzlies for second place out west. Getting the two seed could be the difference between playing a play-in team round one or dropping to the three seed and seeing a healthy Nuggets squad with the MVP front runner, Nikola Jokic.
As for Boston, They jump the Bulls for the four seed and sit a game behind Philadelphia. Boston continues their great defensive play and holds another team under 90 points. With 12 games left, not many teams are peaking like the Boston Celtics. The team has won 8 of their last 10.
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1 Comment
Famous beat writer soon!