Marcus Smart has been much better in Boston Celtics starting lineup

Through the past 13 games, Marcus Smart has flourished as a new starter for the Boston Celtics. 

During the month of December, the Boston Celtics have a relatively light schedule. Despite two back-to-backs in three weeks, they gained traction in the Eastern Conference. December brought about expected wins but also some bad losses. After a late November road loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Brad Stevens decided to switch up the starting lineup by inserting Marcus Smart in for Jaylen Brown.

Through the past 13 games, Marcus Smart’s insertion into the starting lineup helped the Celtics on their eight-game winning streak. Playing an extra 6 and half minutes per game while in the starting lineup, Smart has played at a higher level. The increase in minutes brought improvements in scoring, three point shooting and defense.

Smart starting (per game stats): 13 games played, 29.7 minutes played, 8.5 points, 38.3% from the field, 36.2% from three, 82% from the line, 3.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.7 steals, 2.6 fouls, 1 turnover.

As a starter, Smart’s increase in steals is his most notable improvement. He is getting almost a steal and a half more per game with the extra six-minute bump. Amongst qualified guards, he ranks 4th in steals per ESPN.com.

While it’s expected that more time yields an increase in turnovers, he is actually turning the ball over less. Smart ranks 13th amongst point guards in assist to turnover ratio per ESPN.com. He plays as both a primary and secondary ball handler, but he seems to excel at the point guard position.

Smart has always had a huge impact on defense. Despite never making an all-defensive team, his strength and versatility allow for ultimate switchability. Portrayed as a bruiser, Smart also plays intelligent defense. He ranks 5th amongst guards in contesting three-pointers as he challenges 4.2 a game. Smart is also constantly giving up his body, ranking 6th amongst all qualified guards in charges drawn per NBA.com.

When it comes to the offensive side of the floor, Smart is a likely fifth or sixth option on this team. This year, he is taking a lot of three’s. Around 60 percent of all his shots are three-pointers.

Despite an improved 3-point percentage, he struggles to get to the line. Over a five-game stretch, where he played a total of 142 minutes (28.4 minutes per game), Smart failed to get to the charity stripe once. He is a good free throw shooter, averaging close to 80 percent from the line but he only shoots around two free throws per game.

He ranks below guards Dante Exum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and D.J. Augustin in free throw attempts. His physical nature and inability to get to the free throw line are almost paradoxical.

There have been 18 games this season in which more than half of his shots come from three-point range. This isn’t a bad thing, but a higher percentage of layups and free-throws would certainly help the Celtics.

Moving forward, look for Brad Stevens to emphasize possessions where Smart has an increased chance of drawing contact. As his fifth season as a Celtic, Marcus Smart has earned every bit of his 4 year, $52 million contract and perhaps a continued starting role.

Statistics provided by NBA.com, ESPN.com, cleaningtheglass.com