Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart sees 'strong likelihood' of playing in Game 3 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

BOSTON — On Thursday afternoon after practice, Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka took a question about how his team played without Marcus Smart, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, in their Game 2 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Udoka looked up and noticed Smart's now green-tipped hair standing behind a row of cameras and decided it was time to have a little bit of fun.

«We don't really even need Marcus honestly,» Udoka deadpanned before glancing to the back of the room as he nodded at Smart who was having a good laugh.

It was easy for both men to be in a joyful mood for two reasons: The Celtics defeated the Bucks in Game 2 to even the series, and there's a good chance Smart will be back for Game 3 in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Smart said there's a «strong likelihood» he'll be available for the contest after missing Game 2 with a right quad contusion. He sat out the game, a commanding 109-86 victory for the Celtics, after getting hit multiple times in the muscle in Game 1.

Smart said he was hit closer to the knee, and that the fluid building up from the injury was restricting movement there. Getting that movement back would be the last hurdle to clear before allowing him to get back on the court.

«Once that goes away, I should be back to feeling to myself,» Smart said. «Everything else is healing up the right way.»

Udoka said Smart got some on-court work in during Thursday's practice.

«We'll know more tomorrow based on how it feels today,» Udoka said. «But obviously looks better today than he did. Just moving around, walking around the last few days when he couldn't go. We'll know more tomorrow.»

Smart said he couldn't sleep prior to Game 2 or get his normal pre-game nap in because he was so antsy about missing the game.

«Jus