CLEVELAND -- As expected. The Boston Celtics will turn to Marcus Smart to replace an injured Isaiah Thomas in the starting lineup.
Thomas re-aggravated a right hip injury in the first half of Boston's Game 2 loss in Friday.
The team announced less than 24 hours later that he would not return for the rest of the series.
Smart has made 24 starts this season, averaging 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists with the first unit which includes Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson and Al Horford.
That five-man unit has been solid this season when they have played together.
They have shot 50.3 percent from the field, 46.5 percent on 3's with an offensive rating of 108.6 and a defensive rating of 100.6 which in part is aided by a defense that limited opponents to just 30.9 percent shooting from 3-point range this season.
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