“Stephen Curry has shot 33.3% when guarded by Marcus Smart in the last 5-seasons”: An interesting statistic reveals the reigning DPOY having Warriors guard’s number 

Arjun Julka | 01/06/2022
"Stephen Curry has shot 33.3% when guarded by Marcus Smart in the last 5-seasons": An interesting statistic reveals the reigning DPOY having Warriors guard's number 

Over the last 5-seasons, Celtics guard, Marcus Smart, has managed to contain Stephen Curry to a mere 33% efficiency from the field. 

The grand stage for the 2022 NBA Finals is set with the Warriors squaring off against the Celtics for the Larry O’Brien trophy. The Dubs make their 6th Finals appearance in the last 8-years, while a young roster of Celtics headed by debutant head coach Ime Udoka looks to create history.

If the Cs potentially win the title this year, it will be their 18th championship, the most in NBA history. Both Celtics and Warriors have played phenomenal basketball on both ends of the floor, continuing to be the 1st and 2nd best defensive teams, respectively.

While the Cs have an overall defensive rating of 106.2, the Dubs are 106.6 in the current playoffs. The Celtics were the recipient of the DPOY this season, with guard Marcus Smart winning it. The 28-year-old became the first guard to win the accolade since Gary Payton in 1996.

Also read: “Tatum and Brown are the heads of the snake, Marcus Smart does what he does”: Stephen Curry addresses facing Celtics in 2022 NBA Finals

As the countdown to the Finals begins, a recent stat shows Smart being the key to restricting the backbone of the Warriors’ offense Stephen Curry.

Marcus Smart and Stephen Curry have some history.

Earlier this season, Curry suffered a sprained ligament in his left foot during a play involving him and Smart diving for a loose ball. The Warriors MVP ended up missing a couple of weeks but would be back in time for the playoffs.

On the other hand, Smart received a lot of flak for the incident, with many calling the play a malicious attempt by the Celtics guard. Nevertheless, Curry would call Smart’s play unintentional.

As the two look ready to lock horns once again, but this time at the grandest stage of them all. A statistic points out Smart putting Curry on the clamps.

Surely a warning sign for the Dubs, with Curry touted as the favorite to win the Finals MVP. There is a lot of pressure going into the Finals for the former unanimous MVP as he looks to establish one of the greatest legacies.

Also read: “It wasn’t like Marcus Smart looked at me and was like ‘I’m trying to hurt that dude’”: Stephen Curry defends the Celtics guard for his play that injured Chef Curry

While the Celtics might have some elite defensive stops, the Warriors have championship DNA that plays a key role, especially at this stage.

 

Post Edited By: Arjun Julka
2022 NBA Finals boston celtics Golden State Warriors Marcus Smart Stephen Curry

About the author

Arjun Julka

Arjun Julka is a NBA author at The SportsRush. Basketball isn’t just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Now an ardent fan, Arjun supports Stephen Curry and the Warriors but also enjoys watching Giannis Antetokounmpo own the paint. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordan’s resume.

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