Marcus Smart back with Celtics and available Monday

As expected, Marcus Smart has rejoined the Boston Celtics after a brief absence due to a death in the family.

After missing the team's impressive and narrow loss against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, Smart has met up with the team in Utah and is available to play against the Jazz. That could mean less run for Phil Pressey, who had one of his best games of the season in Smart's stead.

In 28 games, Smart has impressed a great deal on the defensive end of the floor. A strong, versatile and tenacious defender, Smart clearly has the makings of a lock-down player on that end.

The offense has been a little slower to come, with Smart shooting 38.4 percent from the floor and averaging 6.4 points and three assists in 22 minutes. His 3-point stroke has been encouraging at 36.4 percent, and his 50 percent shooting mark at the rim should theoretically improve given his size and strength.

Also encouraging is that the Celtics have been better at both ends of the floor with Smart on the court, and they've played 7.1 points per 100 possessions better with him overall. He'll get the chance to show head-to-head against Dante Exum on Monday that Smart should have been the higher-drafted guard in June.