“I felt pretty good until I started exploding up to the basket,’’ Smith said. “That’s where the pain really starts to generate, when I become explosive with it. But as far as running and cutting and everything else, it feels OK.’’

Smith was able to “move around’’ at shootaround, according to Larry Drew, said he was noticeably limping and it was obvious that Smith was experiencing discomfort.

“Certainly it’s an uphill battle, but it’s a challenge for our team, and I have all the confidence in the world these guys will step up to the challenge,’’ Drew said.