Friday, November 13 - Hawks at Celtics
Pregame - Smart Returns to Starting Rotation, Bradley Still Out
BOSTON – For the fourth time in eight games, the Boston Celtics will send out a unique starting five when they tip off against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
Brad Stevens is re-inserting Marcus Smart into the starting rotation, though he will not be at usual point guard post. Smart will start at the 2, while Isaiah Thomas will open his fifth straight game at the point.
Stevens says pairing those two together brings a unique dynamic to Boston’s backcourt.
“They both can handle the ball, they both can play off the pick-and-roll,” said Stevens. “They’re unique to each other offensively in some ways, too, but they’ve played well when they’ve played together.”
Smart saw a season-low 21 minutes Wednesday night against Indiana, after missing three games with a toe injury.
Stevens says Smart is “feeling much better” tonight, so expect to see more of him on the floor against the 8-2 Hawks.
One player you will not see on the court tonight is Avery Bradley. The guard will miss his second straight game with a strained calf, which he injured Tuesday night in Milwaukee.
Stevens said Bradley tried to participate in Boston’s walkthrough this afternoon, but did not look ready to play.
“He did not look 100 percent to me when he went through,” said Stevens. “And just from a long-term perspective – it’s a strain, it’s a muscle strain – we just hesitate that it would get worse if he played if he’s not fully ready.”
Evan Turner, who made a spot start in place of Bradley Wednesday night, will return to his bench role tonight with the return of a healthy Smart to the starting rotation.
- Taylor C. Snow
Starting Lineups
Hawks:
Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap, Al Horford
Celtics:
Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson, Jared Sullinger