Herbert: Smart rises up as Celtics even series

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Marcus Smart is not a superstar, but no one should tell him that. His performance in the Boston Celtics’ 104-95 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday was enough to make you at least think about him playing full-court pressure defense in the All-Star Game one day. In the game that tied the series 2-2, Smart had 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. He shot 7-for-15, including 3-for-8 from deep. He played 42 minutes, and Boston outscored Atlanta by 24 points in that time. This is only possible because he believes there is nothing he can’t do.

Fundamentally, Smart is a strange player. He was drafted as a point guard, but he spends much of his time playing alongside an All-Star point guard in Isaiah Thomas. Smart is often praised for his poise and maturity, but he often launches ill-advised jumpers. The Celtics might very well have lost this game if coach Brad Stevens didn’t have the 6-foot-4 Smart defend power forward Paul Millsap down the stretch.

“I’m a basketball player,” Smart said. “I don’t really define myself as any position. And I think that’s what’s been so unique about me growing up and playing ball.”

Stevens made the change with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Millsap had 41 points at the time.

“I was just like, ‘OK,'” Smart said.

With 5:35 left in the fourth …

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