Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) did not play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night due to a foot injury. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Heat had clear game plan with Marcus Smart out

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 5/18/22

The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night, and they did so by taking full advantage of a key player being out.

Marcus Smart did not play in the game due to a foot injury. Smart is an excellent defender, and the Celtics missed him. As Bob Voulgaris noted, the Heat made a big adjustment in the second half and ran 10 pick-and-roll plays where reserve guard Payton Pritchard was the screen defender. The plan worked to perfection.

Obviously not a problem with Smart back – and I am sure Celts will be able to adjust going forward w/ Pritchard. But Miami making that defense adjust after 1 game is a big win.

— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) May 18, 2022

Boston led 62-54 at the half, but the Heat pulled away late in the third quarter en route to a comfortable 118-107 victory. Both Smart and Al Horford (COVID protocols) missed the game, but Smart’s absence clearly hurt more.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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