Celtics' Marcus Smart: Will start next two games

Coach Brad Stevens confirmed that Smart would start at point guard Friday against the Nets and Sunday against the 76ers.

Analysis:

Smart was always considered the most likely candidate to enter the starting five after the Celtics announced Thursday that All-Star Isaiah Thomas (knee) would miss the next two contests, so Stevens' comments don't come as much of a surprise. While Smart won't be in store for a significant bump in playing time with the move to the starting five, he's turned in superior production on the top unit compared to when he's come off the bench this season, so he'll gain some fantasy value in the short term. In his 22 starts on the season, Smart is averaging 12.1 points (on 40.4% shooting from the field), 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in 34.3 minutes per contest.