JR Smith Hammers Dunk Against Boston Celtics

With the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics facing off in the first game of the first round of the playoffs, we expected a slower-paced slugfest, not the up-tempo J.R. Smith show that the first quarter was.

The offenses galloped back and forth, jumpers fell, defensive effort was there but not too successful and Smith gave us our first big highlight of the playoffs.

Smith got the pick from Kenyon Martin, who tentatively rolled to the basket, as he already seemed to know what was coming next.

Jordan Crawford and Brandon Bass stumbled into each other, got caught up and gave Smith just enough time to turn the corner, streak down the lane and hammer in a monster slam.

"

J.R. Smith is 3-for-3 off the bench, and an early candidate for #SCTop10 with that electrifying dunk! #NBAPlayoffs

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 20, 2013"

"

J.R. Smith found… (sunglasses) a pipeline to the basket… YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) April 20, 2013"

"

Oh my Lord, J.R. Smith.

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) April 20, 2013"

The only problem was that Smith picked up his second foul soon after that dunk and had to take a seat.

He's definitely the kind of guy who makes a game entertaining if you've got no dog in the race. If you're on either side of the aisle, though, he can be an incredibly frustrating player.

Hopefully, this is just the primer for an exciting postseason, full of J.R. Smith doing things that make you scream, whether they be good or bad.