Happy birthday, Marcus! It is also the birthday of former Celtic Michael Finley, born today in Melrose Park, Illinois in 1973.Drafted out of Wisconsin by the Phoenix Suns, Finley would play for that club, the Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs before joining Boston in 2010, winning a title with the Spurs in 2007.

After a whirlwind NBA trade deadline, Marcus Smart has finally been able to take stock of his new life as a member of the Washington Wizards. The Wizards acquired Smart from the Memphis Grizzlies in the final hour of last month's NBA trade deadline.

Washington Wizards Guard Marcus Smart has a chip on his shoulder. Here is why he plays the game with something to prove.

It took 57 games for the Washington Wizards to hold a team under 100 points this season. Marcus Smart and the Wizards held Brooklyn to 12 points in the fourth quarter of their 107-99 victory over the Nets on Monday night.

Playing in just his third game with the team out of the nation's capital, Smart took a fourth-quarter charge while guarding Brooklyn Nets forward Trendon Watford—and drew a foul. He then proceeded to get himself off the floor with a kip-up and fired up the Washington crowd.

Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton aren’t here just to mentor the young Wizards. They’re also to lead by example.

Kyshawn George scored 23 points, Alex Sarr added 21 and the Washington Wizards edged the Utah Jazz 125-122 on Wednesday night.

Smart turns 31 next month. He’s still a below-grade offensive player, but his defense always has made up for any offensive deficiencies. If Smart must play through next season as a Wizard, how much will the market be interested?

Speaking after a 43-point game Wednesday against Portland, Payton Pritchard mapped out why he didn't try to break the team's 3-point record.

After taking a charge on Trendon Watford, Marcus Smart popped up with a flawless kip-up, sending the Wizards’ crowd into a frenzy.

Rough shooting performance

As expected, Smart will return to action Monday after sitting out Sunday's loss to the Magic due to a finger injury. Smart made his Wizards debut last Thursday against the Bucks, posting five points, one rebound, one assist and two steals in 17 minutes off the bench during a 104-101 loss.