The Celtics only have one player listed on the injury report for Game 2 against the Bucks on Tuesday but it’s a significant one. Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart is questionable due to a right quad contusion, according to Andrew Lopez of ESPN.
“He’s a tough guy who’s going to try to play through things,” coach Ime Udoka said. “We’ll get him some treatment (Monday) and see how he feels tomorrow.”
Smart was already dealing with the injury entering Game 1, then took a couple of hits to that area.
“It’s more than just pain tolerance. It’s tightness and restriction of movement as well,” Udoka said.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Bucks guard George Hill won’t play in Game 2, coach Mike Budenholzer told Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter link) and other media members. Hill has an abdominal injury. “He was doing a vitamin, doing some individual work,” Budenholzer said. “He’s doing a little bit more in his vitamins, but not anything significant or any kind of new update.”
- Tobias Harris is no longer the weakest link on the Sixers’ defensive unit, Rich Hofmann of The Athletic writes. Rather, teams are trying to attack other defenders while staying away from Harris. The addition of James Harden and emergence of Tyrese Maxey has reduced Harris’ offensive stats but he’s contributing at the other end. “I definitely have more energy to go and guard somebody,” Harris quipped.
- Zach LaVine‘s unrestricted free agency and Patrick Williams‘ development are among the offseason questions looming over the Bulls, according to Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago.
Harris ain’t a terrible defender, neither is Harden and neither is Maxey. It’s really about the match up. Maxey can run around screens and run around the floor well. Harden has size and actually does well down low and against guys trying to drive on him. Harris has quick ish feet for a big and can guard the perimeter, he gets bullied down low by bigs tho.
Thybulle and Embiid are obviously terrific on defence.