The things we do for love: load management, Marcus Smart, and Brad Stevens

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports Midway through the third quarter of Thursday’s game against the Hornets, Marcus Smart picked up his fifth personal on an offensive foul after hitting Terry Rozier with a forearm shiver on his way to the rim. For Smart, it was all part of the game within the game. While the rest of the team was on cruise control towards a blowout win in Charlotte, Smart spent most of the evening trading body blows with Devonte’ Graham and sparring with the refs.

Smart and the Hornets upstart point guard had engaged in a bull fight. Graham would level Smart, lowering his shoulder before driving into him. Smart would bait him into an offensive foul. After getting whistled for…