2 min read • May 07, 2022
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The Celtics have listed point guard and defensive instigator Marcus Smart as probable for Saturday's Game 3.
Smart missed Game 2 with a right thigh contusion that he said restricted the movement in his knee. Both Smart and head coach Ime Udoka said they anticipate that the 28-year-old will be back for Boston as the series heads to Milwaukee.
The ProBasketballDocs gave Smart an SIC Health score of 78 ahead of Game 2, with most of the downgrade coming on the defensive end.
The extra time off will help, but he is unlikely to be fully healed and will have the important challenge of stopping Jrue Holiday, who is averaging 22 points, 6.5 rebounds, and six assists on 37.5% shooting in the series.
The Celtics were able to blowout the Bucks for a wire-to-wire win to even the series, 1-1, but will need the Defensive Player Of The Year's presence against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday.
Jaylen Brown appeared to aggravate his right hamstring injury in Game 2, but Udoka told reporters that there is no lingering effects heading into Saturday's matinee.
Brown suffered multiple hamstring strains that cost him 13 of 18 games between November 4 and December 13, and in both cases Brown said he returned too early and was not 100%, causing an aggravation.
The 25-year-old scored 30 points – 25 coming in the first half off – with six rebounds and six assists on 18 shots in Game 2.
Celtics NBA Finals Odds
The Celtics are 2-point underdogs in Game 3 and the over/under is 211.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. They are +500 to win the NBA Finals and are -138 to win the series over the Bucks.
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