For the first time all season, Marcus Smart will not suit up for the Boston Celtics. He has officially been ruled out due to illness — not his abdominal contusion, which was why the Celtics ruled him doubtful on Tuesday.
Luckily for the Celtics, this didn’t come at the worst time, even though they’re already without Gordon Hayward.
That’s primarily due to the fact Boston is playing the Heat on Wednesday, who’s on the second end of a back-to-back. Not only that, Miami went into overtime against the Raptors on Tuesday.
The Heat are also without Goran Dragic.
Brad Wanamaker and Semi Ojeleye will be called upon to do more. Even though Wanamaker has been more consistent with his offense and he provides some level of help on the defensive end, it makes more sense to have Ojeleye start.
It’s not because Ojeleye is the superior defender or he’s less inclined to put up a decent amount of points. The Celtics just need a reliable ball-handler off the bench.