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Eastern Conference finals: Marcus Smart's return inspires Celtics' blowout Game 2 win

The Boston Celtics are better with Marcus Smart and Al Horford, as it turns out.

The Defensive Player of the Year and the one-time All-Defensive forward anchored a suffocating defensive performance in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, and the Celtics' offense matched the effort. The Miami Heat had no third-quarter answers to Boston's blistering first half this time around in a 127-102 loss.

The series is tied 1-1 on its way to Boston for Saturday's Game 3.

Miami's 18-8 start to the first quarter was a concern for the Celtics, who were bullied in the second half of Game 1.