The Celtics remained undefeated at home this postseason by taking a near must-win game 92-87 over the Bucks last night. The C’s led by as many as 16 at one point, but the Bucks crawled back into it to make it a game down the stretch. Al Horford had arguably his best game as a member of the Celtics too with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Horford doing everything he can to bury that Average Al nickname.

The story of the day though was the return of Marcus Smart. It came out Tuesday morning that Smart had been physically cleared to play, but it would “be up to him” and how he felt at shootaround before the C’s would announce anything official. So ya there was no way Smart was missing Game 5.

It was Smart’s first game back since getting surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb in mid-March. He didn’t waste any time stirring up some shit either as he literally bumped two Bucks walking onto the court. He was a terror all night long.

This dude was everywhere last night with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and THREE blocks. He was routinely blocking the 6’11” Giannis Antetokounmpo for christ’s sake.

Marcus Smart 🙌
📱: https://t.co/idy2OHo9V3 pic.twitter.com/dAk2MmG891

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 25, 2018

He does still takes shots he has no business taking, but its stunning how much tougher and nastier this Celtics team is with Marcus Smart back on the floor.

If theres one play that completely summarizes Marcus Smart’s career its this one. He runs into a bad play, loses the ball, falls down, rips the ball back, and somehow finds the open man from his back. #Celtics #Bucks #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ewiOnPzS1c

— The 300s (@The300sBoston) April 25, 2018

This was a different team on Tuesday, plain and simple. Of course being back on their home court helps, but Smart gave this team another gear that we haven’t seen in a long time. We even saw Shane Larkin picking Giannis’ pocket for a fast break layup, although Giannis’ was chasing him down like a heat seeking missile.

When Shane Larkin steals the ball from Giannis and is trying to get to the hoop before that goddamn Slenderman chases him down and blocks his shot into the rafters. #Celtics #Bucks #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/eqxYH3ZTdX

— The 300s (@The300sBoston) April 25, 2018

To top it all off Mike Gorman legit had me dying laughing with his “completely unfazed, but totally over it” description of yet another Marcus Morris circus shot.

“Celtics with a fresh clock…and Morris shoots it anyways.”

Just spit my drink out hearing that line from @celticsvoice #Celtics #Bucks #NBA #NBAPlayoffs

— The 300s (@The300sBoston) April 25, 2018

I think I might have to slap that on a T-shirt for the stretch run right?

The Celtics will look to close it out in Game 6 on Thursday night in Milwaukee, but they have yet to win on the road in this series. So I wouldn’t be too surprised to see this go seven, but I’d really rather not find out what The Greek Freak Game 7 mode looks like.