Sports Xchange: Smart, Thomas Help Celtics Beat Knicks

By Gethin Coolbaugh, The Sports Xchange

BOSTON -- Brad Stevens turned to Marcus Smart in hopes of sparking a flatlining defense, but Smart wound up jolting the offense instead. 

Smart scored eight of Boston's first 19 points and Isaiah Thomas carried the torch from there as the Celtics ran the New York Knicks out of the gym in a 115-87 blowout on Friday night. 

"It means a lot for me, it means a lot for this team just to be able to come out and contribute on both ends," said Smart, who stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals.