Celtics

NBA All-Defensive team 2019: Celtics' Marcus Smart named to first team

NBA All-Defensive team 2019: Celtics' Marcus Smart named to first team

By Darren Hartwell May 22, 2019 2:03 PM

Apparently Brad Stevens' campaign worked.

The NBA announced its All-Defensive teams for the 2018-19 season Wednesday, and Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart made the list for the first time in his career -- as a first-team selection.

NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg shared the first and second teams, revealing Smart got the fourth-most total votes behind only Rudy Gobert, Paul George and Giannis Antetokuonmpo.

Smart has made a calling card of his tenacious defense, to the point where Stevens wondered aloud in December why the scrappy guard had yet to earn All-Defensive team honors in his NBA career.

Stevens wasn't the only one with that thought, as teammates past and present saluted Smart on social media after the announcement. 

But Smart certainly was deserving of the honor this season, averaging a career-high 1.8 steals on a defense that allowed the third-fewest points in the NBA. 

The 25-year-old is the first Celtic since Avery Bradley in 2016 to land on the All-Defensive first team. He wasn't the only Celtics player to receive a vote this year, though, as Al Horford received four second-team votes while Jaylen Brown and Kyrie Irving each received a vote.

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Celtics vs. 76ers odds: Best NBA picks as Al Horford returns to Boston

Celtics vs. 76ers odds: Best NBA picks as Al Horford returns to Boston

By Darren Hartwell December 12, 2019 8:55 AM

Who doesn't love an old-fashioned rivalry game?

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers meet for the second time this season Thursday night, this time at TD Garden, where Al Horford spent three seasons in green and white.

Horford's new club put a whupping on the Celtics in their season opener, but the C's are 10-0 at home this season and will be out for revenge against their Atlantic Division foe.

Does Boston have enough firepower to set the record straight Thursday night? ... We're not so sure.

Here are our moneyline, point spread and point total picks for Celtics-Sixers, as well as two NBA locks against the spread.

(All odds provided by WestGate Superbook.)

Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-76ers, which tips off Thursday at 7 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike & Tommy have the call at 8 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics, 8 p.m. ET

Moneyline: Philly and its size are just a tough matchup for the Celtics, especially if two of Boston's better defenders (Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward) can't play. I'll take the action on the Sixers (+105).

Point Spread: The Sixers are coming off quality wins over the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets and are the only team that's really handled Boston this season. The Celtics have to lose at home at some point, and I think the Sixers (+1.5) do the honors.

Point Total: Both Philly and Boston have favored the under recently, but the Celtics' home juice should keep this game close throughout and get both teams over the century mark. I'm rolling with the OVER on the 210 point total.

Darren's record picking the Celtics' moneyline, point spread and point total: 32-24-1

NBA Locks of the Night

Dallas Mavericks (-5.5) at Detroit Pistons: The Mavs are 8-2 against the spread on the road this season. That's all the evidence I need to take Luka Doncic and Co. over a "meh" Pistons team.

Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets (-6): The Nuggets are back from an East Coast road trip to play a mediocre Blazers squad that's lost three of its last five. Denver rides the comforts of home to a comfortable victory.

Darren's record picking NBA locks against the spread: 21-15-1

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers live stream: How to watch NBA game online

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers live stream: How to watch NBA game online

By NBC Sports Boston Staff December 12, 2019 8:00 AM

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers meet Thursday night for the first time since opening night and they have the added drama of Al Horford, who spent three years with the Celtics, returning to the Hub in an enemy uniform.

The two rivals again are vying for supremacy in the NBA's Eastern Conference, with the Celtics owning the third spot in the East at 17-6 and the Sixers currently fourth at 18-7. The C's will be out to avenge their opening night loss in Philly, which was the last time they saw old friend Horford, who makes his return to Boston after leaving as a free agent to join the longtime rivals in the City of Brotherly Love. 

Horford's departure was not without a little controversy. He spent three seasons with the Celtics, then declined his $30 million option for 2019-20 to become a free agent, but was expected to re-sign with Boston, only to take the more lucrative four-year, $109 million deal from Philly that he was rumored to have secured before the official start of free agency July 1. 

It will be interesting to see the reception the big man gets in his TD Garden return.

Be sure to tune into NBC Sports Boston for Celtics Pregame Live at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the game at 8 p.m. ET or stream it via the MyTeams app. 

HOW TO WATCH

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ANALYSIS AND REACTION

BEFORE THE GAME: At 7 p.m., Celtics Pregame Live presented by TD Bank gets you ready for the game with reports from Kyle Draper, Mike Gorman, Tommy Heinsohn, Brian Scalabrine, A. Sherrod Blakely, Chris Forsberg, and Abby Chin. Watch on NBC Sports Boston or click here for the live stream.

AT HALFTIME: Tune in to watch a breakdown of the first two quarters on Halftime Live presented by Ace Ticket. Watch on NBC Sports Boston or click here for the live stream.

AFTER THE GAME: As soon as the game ends, tune to Celtics Postgame Live presented by New England Ford for analysis, commentary and player reaction. Watch on NBC Sports Boston or click here for the live stream. 

Questions on our livestream? Get all your questions answered here on our Streaming FAQ.

DURING THE GAME, FOLLOW US 

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Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-76ers, which tips off Thursday at 7 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike & Tommy have the call at 8 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.

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