In the middle of the Celtics’ collapse last night in Charlotte, they were nursing a four-point lead with just under three minutes to go. Marcus Smart had just rimmed out a wide open, corner three and Kemba Walker followed up Smart’s miss with a three of his own. On the ensuing possession, Smart tried to stop the bleeding from the Hornets on a 17-3 run and take advantage of his match up against a smaller Devonte’ Graham.
Smart bully balled to the rim on a drive and his right elbow caught Graham in the chest.