Source: Twitter @TimBontemps
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbAl Horford said the Celtics had to ‘hold things down’ for Derrick White as he left team for birth of his child: masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 12:17 AM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAHow did Jayson Tatum find out Al Horford was playing tonight?
“I seen that (Celtics) Instagram post when he was flexing and they said he was available, so I was excited.” – 12:13 AM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAAl Horford on watching Game 1 from afar: “Oh man, that was hard. That definitely was tough to watch, just not being there with the guys…But I felt like we were able to learn from it and respond. We did a good job of that tonight.” – 12:00 AM
Jay King @ByJayKingAl Horford on watching the third quarter of Game 1: “That was hard. That was tough to watch. Just not being there with the guys. … It was hard, but I felt like we were able to learn from it and respond.” – 11:59 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAAl Horford doesn’t want to get into the kinds of things he was saying watching Game 1 by himself: “(laughs) Oh man…that was hard. It was hard.” – 11:59 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAAl Horford on rejoining the Celtics: “It was just happiness. You know, we’re missing D White, but he’s handling bigger things. Much bigger things. We’re holding it down for him.” – 11:58 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbAl Horford on Derrick White: “He’s handling bigger things than what we are doing tonight. We are holding it down for him.” – 11:58 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingAl Horford on when he rejoined the Celtics: “It was on the bus that I first got to see them. It was just happiness.” – 11:57 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAAl Horford showing Grant Williams some love: “Grant’s been playing so great. And we’re asking a lot of him and he’s delivering.” – 11:57 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305Al Horford:
“Miami does a good job with it (the zone).”
“They came out and were hitting tough shots, and we just stayed the course.” – 11:57 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisHorford says he felt off and felt like he needed to get tested.
So it appears he tested positive and then quickly tested out? Maybe he had it and this was the tail end? False positive? – 11:56 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAAl Horford: “It was important for us to come out and get this win at all costs.” – 11:55 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAAl Horford explains his COVID roller coaster: “Felt a little off, felt like I needed to get tested. Tuesday we got the news and then subsequently got tested again and again and was finally able to get cleared. A lot of emotions and throughout it all, was able to stay locked in.” – 11:55 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobeHorford said he felt a “little off” and felt like he needed to be tested, thus being placed in the Health and Safety protocols. #Celtics #Heat – 11:54 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingAl Horford said there was “a lot of uncertainty” over the past 48 hours for him. Said he felt a little off and felt the need to get tested. Eventually, he was cleared to play tonight. – 11:54 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAAl Horford on the last couple of days: “I felt a little off. Felt I had to get tested. Then we tested the last couple of days, again and again. And I’m happy I was able to get back out there.” – 11:54 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAAl Horford: “At the end of the day, I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to play tonight and get back with the team. This was a big game for us.” – 11:53 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingAl Horford: “Definitely a lot going on, but at the end of the day I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to play tonight and get back with the team. This was a big game for us.” – 11:53 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbAl Horford on last two days: “A lot going on but at the end of the day, I’m very grateful to have opportunity to play tonight and get back with the team.” – 11:53 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart: “Al’s 35, 36, and he’s still moving like he’s 22.” – 11:44 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart, former stretch 6: “I think everybody in the organization & the world has seen what I can do at the point guard position.” – 11:43 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMarcus Smart on being trusted to be the Celtics point guard: “It feels great. That’s who I am. The whole world is seeing what I can do at the point guard position.” – 11:43 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMarcus Smart: “We said we were going to get the loose balls, cut the turnovers and let our defense do what we do.” – 11:42 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMarcus Smart: “We just wanted to come in and be the harder playing team tonight.” – 11:42 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart: “Tonight that was the main goal: we can’t let them out hustle us.” – 11:41 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMarcus Smart: “The beauty of this team is that we got to play through adversity this season.” – 11:40 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305Marcus Smart on coming in after that game 1 loss to the Heat:
“We’re playing against a really really really good Miami team. You make mistakes, they make you pay for them.”
Says he came out in the mode to get Tatum and Brown in their spots tonight – 11:40 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart on Jimmy Butler: “Jimmy’s a warrior, man. Jimmy’s been doing this a long time…I love going up against Jimmy any time I can. As a defensive player, as a competitor, he’s going to make you work, he’s going to make you better.” – 11:40 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingMarcus Smart: “Jimmy’s a warrior, man. … I love going against Jimmy any time that I can.” – 11:39 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMarcus Smart on defending Jimmy Butler: “It’s tough. Jimmy’s a warrior, man.” – 11:39 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart: “I just kept telling myself: Game 2, you’re playing.”
Said he was doing pool workouts, but not sure if that’s a weight-bearing thing or we’re just in Miami. – 11:39 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeatFive Degrees of Heat from Thursday night’s 127-102 loss to the Celtics: sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…
1. Finished at the start.
2. Jimmy Butler faces stiffer challenge.
3. P.J. Tucker ailing again.
4. Even Duncan Robinson gets a shot.
5. Marcus Smart, Al Horford solid in returns. – 11:38 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMarcus Smart: “I hoped I could get back. We didn’t want to risk it Game 1. But I told myself, ‘Game 2, you playin’. I don’t care how much you’re hurting.'” – 11:38 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingMarcus Smart: “I just kept telling myself: ‘Game 2, you’re playing.'” Said he did whatever he could to speed up the recovery. – 11:38 PM
Joe Vardon @joevardonQuick react: Marcus Smart returns and blew up the Heat, tying this series for the Boston Celtics @The Athletic theathletic.com/news/celtics-h… – 11:26 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMore from Ime Udoka on Marcus Smart: “I’m not the type of coach that wants to call a play every time down. I trust him to make the right play. He does a good job of getting us into stuff, making the right read and finding the hot hand.” – 11:21 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbMarcus Smart set a new postseason high this year for points (24) and assists (12) in Game 2. More takeaways masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 11:20 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAIme Udoka on Marcus Smart: “He sets the tone. Defensive Player of the Year for a reason.” – 11:20 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAIme Udoka on Marcus Smart’s return: “He sets the tone. Defensive Player of the Year for a reason.” – 11:19 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbIme Udoka on Marcus Smart: “He sets the tone.” – 11:18 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAIme Udoka on having Al Horford and Marcus Smart back: “Great to have the vets back, obviously. Calming presence there.” – 11:15 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Marcus Smart’s wild night concludes with 24 points, five 3-pointers, nine rebounds, 12 assists, three steals, and 8-22 shooting in 40 minutes. And 1 turnover. – 11:13 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBAMarcus Smart did it all tonight. Tone-setting effort on defense getting in the passing lanes, switching, hustling, crashing the boards. Defended Jimmy Butler for 31 plays holding him to just 9 points, per @SecondSpectrum. Plus playmaking and scoring. A star-level performance. pic.twitter.com/duqAatKZJ0 – 11:10 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe#Celtics beat up on #Heat 127-102 to even series at 1-1. Tatum 27, Brown 24, Smart 24, GWilliams 19, Horford 10; Butler 29, Vincent 14. – 11:04 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedorMarcus Smart YR 2: 27.7 MIN, 9.1 PTS, 34.8 FG, 25.3 3P, 42.7 2P, 77 FT, 4.2 REB, 3.0 AST, 1.5 STL, 11.3 PER, 2.9 WS, 0.4 VORP, -1.0 BPM
#Cavs Isaac Okoro YR 2: 29.6 MIN, 8.8 PTS, 48.0 FG, 35.0 3P, 55.5 2P, 76.8 FT, 3.0 REB, 1.8 AST, 0.8 STL, 10.4 PER, 4.2 WS, 0.1 VORP, -1.7 BPM – 11:03 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA127-102 Celtics win as they nail every facet of their game plan and find their balance with Marcus Smart and Al Horford back to solve problems and take some insane shots in Smart’s case. – 11:03 PM
Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_Marcus Smart finishes one rebound shy of triple-double in return from foot injury.
24 PTS
12 AST
9 REB
3 STL
40 MIN
+31 – 10:52 PM
StatMuse @statmuseMarcus Smart did everything in his return.
24 PTS
9 REB
12 AST (1 TOV)
3 STL
5 3PM
He was +32. No other starter was higher than +16. pic.twitter.com/G35vkm3rwi – 10:51 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrellMarcus Smart making approx $19m per year over the next 4 years feels like a bit of an underpay. – 10:50 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingNot sure why the Celtics still have Marcus Smart in the game with 6:18 left. They’re up 32 points and he missed the last game with a sprained foot. He has already played 40 minutes. Makes no sense to me. Must be triple-double hunting, but he should just take some rest instead. – 10:50 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbMarcus Smart has 17 second half points in 17 minutes. – 10:47 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedellJimmy Butler went to the free throw line 18 times in Game 1.
He has gone to the foul line just eight times with Marcus Smart back on the floor tonight. – 10:43 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbachMarcus Smart through three quarters: 21 points 10 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, +31. Sheesh. – 10:41 PM
Trae Young @TheTraeYoungMarcus Smart makes a huge difference for them ! He Hoopin🔥 – 10:41 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart is three boards shy of his second career 20-point triple-double – 10:41 PM
Denzel Valentine @denzelvalentineMarcus Smart different ‼️ – 10:40 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAYou wouldn’t know it from his stat-line, but Al Horford has had a very good game. Especially on defense. – 10:38 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyThe Heat made a push in the 3Q, but the Celtics closed out the quarter strong and take a 96-71 lead into the 4th. Tatum has 27 pts, 5 rebounds, 5 assists. Marcus Smart has played strong ‘D’ along with 18 pts, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. – 10:33 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbMarcus Smart having himself a quarter. – 10:29 PM
Austin Kent @AustinKentMarcus Smart is too nasty this season. I’m sorry. #NBATopShotThis pic.twitter.com/SthGLY3nUf – 10:28 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart broke Max Strus’ ankles and Malik Fitts jumped out of his seat and started yanking on an invisible lasso like he wrangled a cattle – 10:25 PM
Deonte Burton @DeonteBurtonOmg Marcus smart two way player! I love his game!!!!! – 10:25 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisBig steal and bucket by Marcus Smart there. Butler was rolling and the C’s needed something to stop the momentum. Lead is 19 but with 2:24 left and Rob coming back, a chance to rebuild it heading into the 4th – 10:24 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAI’d like to see Boston run a couple of actions involving Horford here. He hasn’t been involved enough tonight. – 10:22 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingMarcus Smart’s first turnover came after he got a great steal and tried to save it to a teammate. He hasn’t shot well, obviously, but doing so much to help the Celtics anyway. – 10:17 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyGood adjustment by the Celtics on Miami’s hard blitz of Tatum, who gave the ball up quickly to Marcus Smart, eventually got it back and now he’s at the free-throw line where he knocked down a pair. – 10:16 PM
Jonathan Wasserman @NBADraftWassOut of OK State I remember describing Marcus Smart as just a two-way weapon. Only sensible label. Not a PG or SG or playmaker or scorer. Just a weapon for your team. Kinda how I’m starting to picture Dyson Daniels. – 10:15 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCSMarcus Smart with a conference finals Shaqtin pic.twitter.com/1BtPLT7Gvv – 10:10 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbMarcus Smart with a 8/0 assist-to-turnover ratio in his return. – 10:10 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAMarcus Smart is the biggest enigma in NBA history. His game makes absolutely no sense. – 10:07 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbCeltics not named Marcus Smart are shooting 76.6 percent tonight. – 10:04 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingWhat an electric miss by Marcus Smart there lol. – 10:03 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbachAl Horford and Udonis Haslem having a little old guys Florida chat – 10:02 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Marcus Smart had a wild first half – 7 points, 2-11 (1-5), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal. – 9:52 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBAThe Celtics defense switched on 13 pick-and-rolls in the first half and the Heat scored just 2 points, per @SecondSpectrum.
Massive difference with Al Horford and Marcus Smart out there. – 9:47 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedellThe Heat are getting absolutely demolished. Miami has had no answers since Grant Williams got on the floor. Not surprisingly, the Celtics’ defense looks a lot different with Smart and Horford back. The Celtics have taken the crowd out of the game completely. – 9:35 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisMarcus Smart’s defense on Butler deserved better than the C’s giving up an offensive rebound and dunk to Bam – 9:33 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAHaving Marcus Smart and Al Horford is a lot better than not having Marcus Smart and Al Horford IMO. – 9:32 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyThe #Celtics clearly saw on film that if guys run hard along the baseline, those are lay-ups with the proper dribble-drive penetration by Marcus Smart who has found both Grant Williams and Jayson Tatum for easy layups tonight. – 9:21 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelasTyler Herro changed Game 1 with his pick and roll game but Al Horford switching out on to him and not dropping slowed him to start tonight. – 9:14 PM
Joe Vardon @joevardonJaylen Brown opens with three 3s and 11 points, and the Celtics showed their muscle with Smart and Horford back. Miami has gotten caught in a couple double teams that have led to open Celtics 3s, and they’ve made nine of them. – 9:14 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrangeCeltics have a lot more answers on both ends with Smart and Horford playing. Impressive 1st Q. – 9:13 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacobHorford-G Williams frontcourt is a problem – 9:13 PM
John Schuhmann @johnschuhmannCeltics scored 20 points on a stretch of 8 possessions late in the first.
Defense was the bigger issue, but the Heat, for some reason, ran pick-and-roll at Al Horford for most of that stretch. – 9:12 PM
Abby Chin @tvabbyMarcus Smart and Al Horford played the entire first quarter in their returns. #Celtics went from 10-down to 11-up for a 35-24 lead. – 9:12 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbEarly Game 2 analysis: Marcus Smart and Al Horford are helpful for Celtics. – 9:05 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyMarcus Smart (2 assists) and Al Horford (3 pts) have done some positive things so far, but the Heat’s 3-point shooting (3-for-4) has been a problem early on. Miami leads 15-8. Time-out Boston; 8:04 to play in the first quarter. – 8:53 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305Max Strus and Gabe Vincent both with early threes over the top of a big
First Horford, now Williams
That’s huge
These guys are playing so comfortable on the biggest stage – 8:51 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305Jimmy Butler over Marcus Smart
He can use his body against him – 8:50 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_ChiangMarcus Smart on Jimmy Butler to start the game. – 8:48 PM
David Morrow @_DavidMorrowMarcus Smart instantly making it clear how much the Celtics missed his playmaking in Game 1. – 8:48 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Marcus Smart launches (and misses) on his first touch. – 8:47 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbCeltics open with Marcus Smart defending Jimmy Butler. – 8:46 PM
Sean Deveney @SeanDeveneyInteresting @Boston Celtics stuff from @Steve Bulpett:
– Sources tell him that, yes, Al Horford is vaxed
– Execs/coaches at the Combine worried about potential for #NBAConferenceFinals outbreak
– @NBA spokesman told @HeavySan about that. Read it ALL here:
heavy.com/sports/boston-… – 8:32 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBPCeltics at Heat – FTX Arena – May 19, 2022 – East Finals Game 2 Starters
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, R. Williams
Miami – Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Jimmy Butler, PJ Tucker, Bam Adebayo
OUT: Boston: White, Hauser Miami: Lowry pic.twitter.com/uxv2ycZjaW – 8:13 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBACeltics starters for Game 2:
Robert Williams
Al Horford
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Marcus Smart
Heat starters:
Bam Adebayo
P.J. Tucker
Jimmy Butler
Max Strus
Gabe Vincent – 8:12 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisMarcus Smart out for warmups pic.twitter.com/ubskxHhrPI – 7:46 PM
Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBAJust objectively kind of an odd answer by Ime here – side-stepped the question as to why Horford got a test in the first place, was very pointed about saying Horford was feeling “fine,” not “asymptomatic” but also “he didn’t have symptoms.” pic.twitter.com/8lkzOgyVAs – 7:25 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisAl Horford warning up pic.twitter.com/sG4k2hLUJ8 – 7:22 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Udoka said Smart and Horford are both good to go – 7:18 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBACeltics injury updates: Al Horford and Marcus Smart cleared to play, Derrick White out for Game 2
cbssports.com/nba/news/celti… – 7:17 PM
Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgittCeltics coach Ime Udoka gets his turn to talk about Al Horford and Marcus Smart rejoining the lineup for Game 2 vs. Heat. pic.twitter.com/N4Fqslcg4N – 7:12 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingIme Udoka said Marcus Smart is “full go” tonight. – 7:11 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisIme says Horford & Smart are both a full go for tonight – 7:11 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyAl Horford and Marcus Smart will not have any minutes restriction tonight. – 7:11 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynoldsMarcus Smart and Al Horford are full-go, Ime Udoka says. – 7:11 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAIme Udoka said Al Horford is “full-go” with no limitations tonight. – 7:10 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingIme Udoka said the Celtics are “happy to have two of our starting five back.”
So Marcus Smart will play too. – 7:10 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsIme Udoka confirms both Al Horford and Marcus Smart will play tonight for Boston. – 7:09 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynoldsIme Udoka says Marcus Smart will play. – 7:09 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzzSmart playing for Boston. Horford playing too if you missed it; team says he never had covid symptoms. All Heat players available except Lowry. – 7:09 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAMarcus Smart will play tonight, per Ime Udoka. – 7:09 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAIme Udoka on Al Horford returning from COVID: “He passed all the protocols, passed all the tests…he was feeling fine from the get go, so happy to have him back.” – 7:08 PM