BOSTON - The Celtics have hit a bit of a rut lately.
They look slow out of the gates, and have now dropped five of their last seven games down the stretch when wins are all that matters.
Perhaps the long season has gotten to rookie guard Marcus Smart, who has particularly struggled as of late.
Since he dropped 25 points on Mar. 18 against the Thunder, Smart has averaged just 3.5 points per game on 20-percent shooting from the field. He was also suspended a game for hitting Spurs' forward Matt Bonner below the belt.
Smart failed to score a point or dish out an assist in Sunday's loss to the Clippers, going 0-for-6 from the field.
He was ineffective enough in Brad Stevens' eyes that he did not start the third quarter with the team down 21 points, instead coming in at the 2:37 mark for Avery Bradley.
"I wanted to be a little bit bigger and I didn't think that he was having his best night," Stevens said when asked why Smart didn't start the third.
Steven went on to say he felt Smart was "frustrated offensively", which made him go in a different direction.
With Smart struggling the way he is, and the Celtics seemingly needing more offense at the beginning of games, it makes sense to wonder if a change is needed at starting point guard. Isaiah Thomas, the team's best offensive player, is currently coming off the bench, but he could provide that jolt at the start of games and get the Celtics off on the right foot.
Is that something he would be OK with? Smart smiled when asked about being inserted into the starting lineup due to the C's recent offensive struggles. You know he's itching to be in there.
"If coach puts me in the starting lineup, I'll be happy. If he doesn't, it is what it is," Thomas said. "But I definitely can help. That's my game. Bring energy and make plays. So if he calls my name and I'm in the starting lineup. I'm going to continue to play the game of basketball the way I know how and do whatever it takes to win."
Thomas had a team-high 19 points on 4-for-12 shooting for the Celtics on Monday in 26 minutes of action. This is two days after scoring 18 points on 4-for-13 shooting against the Knicks.
Thomas is still not 100-percent after missing eight games with a bruised tailbone, but there's no doubt the team is better offensively with him on the court.
While it might seem like a demotion to Smart, he's obviously still young and has a bright future in the NBA. In fact, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said prior to Sunday's game that Smart reminded him of a better version of himself.