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“DPOY for a Reason”: NBA World Goes Wild as Marcus Smart Secures Win for Ja Morant and Co. In Comeback vs Pelicans

Published 12/26/2023, 11:23 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The Memphis Grizzlies just won three games in a row this season. And surely, a lot of that is because of their All-Star point guard Ja Morant coming back to the team’s lineup. However, this win over the Pelicans goes to reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart.

The Memphis Grizzlies barely edged past the New Orleans Pelicans. But the NBA world has been buzzing about Marcus Smart’s heroics during extra-time as he helped his team extend the winning streak.

Smart helps Ja Morant and the Grizzlies

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The Pelicans lost a close 116-115 game to the Grizzlies. In a matchup that ended in overtime, the Pelicans fought till the final buzzer, but Ja Morant and Marcus Smart had other plans for the game.

Four quarters were not enough to decide the fate of the game as it went into overtime. And that is where Marcus Smart came alive. Smart’s antics on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor had fans drooling on social media.

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One fan on X tweeted, “DPOY FOR A REASON.”

Smart had one spectacular play after another in the overtime period. The 6’3 guard had a crucial steal that he was able to turn into a fastbreak opportunity and two easy points for the Grizzlies.

He then went on to take an offensive charge on defense that had the team and the arena riled up even more. And at last, Smart threw an alley-oop pass to Morant that helped seal the deal and blow the wind out of the Pelicans.

Smart may not have acquired stat-sheet-stuffing numbers, but his efforts on the floor could not be overlooked as the arena cheered on.

Fans lose it on X over Smart

Marcus Smart helping Ja Morant and the Grizzlies extend their win streak to three had everyone excited; both in the arena and on social media as well.

One fan on X posted, You know what? i understand why celtics fans acted like the world was ending when they traded marcus smart.”

Whereas, another fan commented, “And Marcus Smart takes what should be the game-clinching charge. Love and trust him!”

Here are a few more reactions from X.

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While many were happy that the Grizzlies won, fans on social media were more hyped over Smart’s effort and performance. Let’s hope that the Grizzlies can build on that going forward.

Watch This Story – Ja Morant destroys LeBron James and the Lakers with an unreal performance

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Written by:

Abhishek Dhariwal

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One take at a time

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best” - Tim Duncan said this once, and I took it as a sign to keep working on myself, without fail! Being a basketball player all my life, it was natural for me to eventually become an NBA writer at EssentiallySports.
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Edited by:

Vishav