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Marcus Smart is the reigning Defensive Player in the Year in the NBA, known for his hustling defense and uncanny talent for deflections. Unfortunately, when Smart managed to knock the ball away and disrupt a Chicago Bulls’ fast break, referee Marc Davis took a beating.
Smart swatted away DeMar DeRozan’s pass directly into the official’s shoulder. Then, as Davis ducked down and Smart attempted to save the ball, the Celtics guard ended up spiking it off Davis’ head. After gaining possession out of bounds, the Bulls got a layup from Ayo Dosunmu.
It’s a typical play for Smart, who became the only two-time winner of the NBA’s Hustle Award last season. He plays with a ton of effort, but he also accidentally hurts people on occasion.
The Celtics’ relationship with the referees didn’t get any better, as Davis gave coach Joe Mazzulla two technicals and his first career ejection later in the third quarter. Oddly, it happened after the officials called two fouls in Boston’s favor, but Mazzulla seemed to be arguing a technical foul call on Jayson Tatum from a few minutes earlier.
It is Mazzulla’s fourth game as an NBA head coach. Assistant coach Damon Stoudamire appeared to take over clipboard responsibilities after Mazzulla left the court.
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