Blakely: Smart is trending in the right direction

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WALTHAM, Mass. – Amir Johnson has spent more than a decade in the NBA and he had never seen a play like Marcus Smart’s head-first dive for the ball as Brooklyn’s Donald Sloan let it roll down court in an effort to save some time on the game clock.

“He (Smart) just timed it perfect,” said Johnson. “He was like a snake out there, diving on that ball. It was pretty neat to see.”

The officials would later called it a jump ball (maybe the quickest call for a jump ball in NBA history), but the point was clear.

If you relax around Smart, he’ll make you pay.

And now that he has a few games under his belt since missing 18 due to a left knee injury, Smart’s body is slowly but surely catching up to his defensive instincts on the floor.

“The team loved it,” Smart said. “It encouraged them to do certain things on the defensive end.”

Smart getting back to good health and playing that tough, rugged defense that has become his calling card in the NBA, comes at a time when the Boston backcourt is hurting.

Avery Bradley (sore left hip) is expected to miss at least the next two games, which includes Wednesday’s matchup against Detroit. In addition to Bradley, leading scorer Isaiah Thomas has a sprained thumb which head coach Brad Stevens said won’t prevent him from suiting up.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t have an impact on his ability to knock down shots.

That creates an even greater need for Smart to not just continue being an elite defender, but using that skill to help inspire, motivate and uplift his teammates to step their play up defensively.

And it is plays like diving for a loose ball or grabbing multiple offensive rebounds that can provide an emotional lift for the Celtics.

“That was a heck of a play,” said Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. “I think it surprised everybody. It was fun to watch. He’s made some huge defensive plays and has had some good moments on offense, too.”

And Boston will need more of those moments as they try and build off of Monday’s victory, their fifth win in their last seven games.

“The way he (Smart) plays … it sets the tone,” said Evan Turner.

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