With their backs against the wall, the Boston Celtics needed someone to step up in Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Lose, and their season was over. Win, and the series would head back to Boston for an all-deciding Game 7.
From the jump, that player was Marcus Smart.
“He got the pace going for us from start to finish,” said Joe Mazzulla. “He did a great job of keeping us poised, and he was the quarterback of our defense — him and Rob. When Smart can dictate the pace like that and get us into offense and get us into spacing and just play with that level toughness, it was contagious.