Watch: Marcus Smart’s Game-Winning Play Pushes Celtics to Eastern Conference Finals

Marcus Smart has been a crucial part of the short-handed Boston Celtics’ playoff run since returning from late-season surgery on his sprained right thumb. And he’s done so by living up to his modus operandi — all heart, all hustle and by being the reincarnation of Tony Allen on steroids.

On Wednesday night, with his Celtics trying to close out their Round 2 series against the Philadelphia 76ers at home, Smart stepped to the free throw line with a 113-112 lead and stared at 2.4 seconds on the game clock.

All he needed to do was miss the charity ball and watch time expire and his team was on to hosting Lebron James and Co. for the first two games of the conference finals.

Enter Marcus Smart’s luck. 

Unfortunately, when you practice making those shots on a daily basis, missing on purpose doesn’t come so easily.

Smart made the 1-pointer and gave the Sixers life as well as two and half ticks to inbound the ball and throw up a potential game-winner and series-saver.

Enter Marcus Smart the free safety. 

Marcus Smart attempts to miss the second free throw on purpose, makes it anyway — then intercepts the lifeline attempt by the Sixers to send Boston to the conference finals: pic.twitter.com/5sIfbhNTqp

— Reid Goldsmith (@reidgoldsmith) May 10, 2018

Marcus Smart. Guard? Or Pro-Bowl DB? pic.twitter.com/iVTQ39IDnm

— nepo (@707christian) May 10, 2018

And Twitter reacted just as quickly as the Boston faithful inside TD Garden.

MARCUS SMART IS THE BEST CORNERBACK IN THE NFL

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 10, 2018

That was the most Marcus Smart ending possible

— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 10, 2018

Smart made game-changing plays all night.

MARCUS SMART TO JAYSON TATUM OH MY GOD! #Celtics pic.twitter.com/jVMBVDS4k5

— Casey Baker (@CaseyBake16) May 10, 2018

And he’s not afraid to disrupt the #Process.

Getting into it with Rozier is one thing, but Embiid don't want it with Marcus Smart ? pic.twitter.com/89itVNFlhg

— Prime Bam Childress (@fearthe_beard11) May 10, 2018

Somehow, the Celtics, sans Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, are eyeing their second conference finals meeting with Cleveland in as many years. And Smart has been a huge part of it. Game 1 is in Boston on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.