Marcus Smart is a crucial component of the Boston Celtics, and his performance has a significant impact on the team's overall success. As a defensive specialist and a reliable playmaker, Smart's contributions often go beyond the box score. In this article, we'll delve into a statistical breakdown of Marcus Smart's last five games, examining his performance in various categories and what it means for the Celtics.
The Celtics' recent performance has been a mixed bag, with some impressive wins followed by disappointing losses. As a key player, Smart's play has been a major factor in the team's fortunes. To gain a better understanding of his recent form, we'll analyze his numbers from the last five games.
Recent Games Recap
Before diving into the statistics, let's take a brief look at the Celtics' last five games:
- vs. Los Angeles Lakers (W 130-108)
- vs. Chicago Bulls (L 98-94)
- vs. Denver Nuggets (L 96-92)
- vs. Philadelphia 76ers (W 119-110)
- vs. Toronto Raptors (L 116-95)
As we can see, the Celtics have experienced a mix of wins and losses, with some close games and others that got away from them. Now, let's examine Marcus Smart's performance in more detail.
Points and Shooting
Marcus Smart's scoring has been a key aspect of his game, and he's been known to have big nights on occasion. In his last five games, Smart has averaged 11.2 points per game, which is slightly above his season average.
Here's a breakdown of his points per game in the last five contests:
- vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 15 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 3PT)
- vs. Chicago Bulls: 9 points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3PT)
- vs. Denver Nuggets: 13 points (4-10 FG, 2-5 3PT)
- vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3PT)
- vs. Toronto Raptors: 6 points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3PT)
As we can see, Smart has had some big nights, particularly against the Lakers and Nuggets. However, he's also had some quieter games, such as against the Raptors.
Assists and Playmaking
Marcus Smart is also an excellent playmaker, often setting up his teammates for easy baskets. In his last five games, Smart has averaged 6.2 assists per game, which is above his season average.
Here's a breakdown of his assists per game in the last five contests:
- vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 8 assists
- vs. Chicago Bulls: 5 assists
- vs. Denver Nuggets: 7 assists
- vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 6 assists
- vs. Toronto Raptors: 4 assists
As we can see, Smart has been consistent in setting up his teammates, particularly against the Lakers and Nuggets.
Defense and Rebounding
Marcus Smart is known for his tenacious defense, and he's often tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player. In his last five games, Smart has averaged 4.2 rebounds per game, which is around his season average.
Here's a breakdown of his rebounds per game in the last five contests:
- vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 5 rebounds
- vs. Chicago Bulls: 3 rebounds
- vs. Denver Nuggets: 4 rebounds
- vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 5 rebounds
- vs. Toronto Raptors: 4 rebounds
As we can see, Smart has been consistent in grabbing rebounds, particularly against the Lakers and 76ers.
Advanced Statistics
To gain a deeper understanding of Marcus Smart's performance, let's examine some advanced statistics.
- True Shooting Percentage (TS%): 54.5% (above his season average)
- Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%): 51.9% (above his season average)
- Assist Percentage (AST%): 24.5% (above his season average)
- Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM): 2.5 (above his season average)
As we can see, Smart's advanced statistics suggest that he's been playing some of the best basketball of his life. His True Shooting Percentage and Effective Field Goal Percentage are both above his season averages, indicating that he's been efficient with his shooting. His Assist Percentage is also above his season average, showcasing his excellent playmaking abilities.
Conclusion
Marcus Smart's recent performance has been impressive, with the Celtics' guard showcasing his all-around skills. His ability to score, set up teammates, and defend at an elite level makes him a valuable asset to the team. While the Celtics have experienced some ups and downs, Smart's play has been a constant source of encouragement.
As the Celtics look to make a deep playoff run, Marcus Smart's performance will be crucial. With his ability to make big plays on both ends of the court, Smart could be the difference-maker in the Celtics' quest for a championship.
We invite you to share your thoughts on Marcus Smart's recent performance. How do you think he'll perform in the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!
What is Marcus Smart's season average for points per game?
+Marcus Smart's season average for points per game is 10.5.
What is Marcus Smart's career high for assists in a single game?
+Marcus Smart's career high for assists in a single game is 11.
What is Marcus Smart's defensive rating this season?
+Marcus Smart's defensive rating this season is 102.5.