Already in an 0-1 hole, things aren’t going to get any easier for Ime Udoka’s Celtics, as they will be without a heart-and-soul starter lineup presence Tuesday night against the Bucks with Marcus Smart ruled out.
Smart’s downgrade comes with the 6-foot-4 guard dealing with a right thigh contusion that left him ‘questionable’ for Tuesday’s contest when the Celtics released their Monday injury report. But the C’s are hopeful that this will be a one-off absence for Smart, especially with a lengthy gap between Games 2 and 3.
“With the three days off, we’re assuming he’ll be OK [for Game 3],” Udoka offered.
With Smart unavailable, Derrick White will get the nod as the C’s starting point guard.
It hasn’t been the smoothest of postseasons to date for White, however, with just 6.2 points per game behind an ugly 34.5 field goal percentage and 21.4 percent mark from three-point range.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has been covering the Bruins since 2010, and has been a member of the Boston chapter of the PHWA since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
