Marcus Smart. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Celtics have lost 3 in a row and 9 of 15, but they'll return from the All-Star Break tomorrow in Detroit with eyes on a strong finish to the regular season.
Getting Marcus Smart back will help. Boston's gone 6-and-5 without its feisty, aggressive, defensive-minded guard since he punched a picture frame in a Los Angeles hotel about a month ago.
He lacerated his right hand, and considers himself lucky the injury wasn't season-ending.
Struggling Celtics Have To Re-Focus At All-Star Break
By Adam Kaufman
Sitting out was devastating, maddening, frustrating, irritating, annoying--you name it. But now, he's medically cleared to play and eager to return.
"I feel like I let my team down," he said. "But I got a second chance to come back and redeem myself."
Just in time, hopefully.
C's have been comparable offensively without Smart but, defensively and on the boards, worse. His energetic spark makes a big difference.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports