Before we get to the upcoming playoff series with the Knicks, let’s address the roster situation for the final two regular season games – Tuesday vs Indiana and Wednesday at Toronto. According to ESPN Boston’s Chris Forsberg:
* PIERCE (ILLNESS) SITS OUT: Celtics captain Paul Pierce is battling a stomach bug and was told to stay home from practice on Monday. He’s still expected to play during Tuesday’s visit from the Pacers. Rivers might joke that he’s got a touch of the veteran’s flu (it typically passes quickly after practice days).
* TERRY OUT VS. PACERS: Rivers said veteran guard Jason Terry will sit out his second consecutive game on Tuesday and noted the 35-year-old might do the same on Wednesday unless he lobbies for floor time. Is something ailing him? “No, just his legs have been bothering him and so we want to make sure he has no issues going into the playoffs,” said Rivers. Terry’s attitude about these final two games seems to suggest he’ll take the extended rest before the postseason. “Definitely blow past them,” said Terry. “It’s like these games, I don’t know what they’re for, but they’re on the schedule. They’ve got to be played. We know who we’re playing in the first round and that’s the more important thing.”
If Pierce plays Tuesday, I assume he (and likely KG) will sit the finale on Wednesday. I’m all for resting Terry. Anything that might help him rediscover his jumper.
The Celtics recalled Fab Melo from Maine. The D-League season has concluded. He needs to be in prime towel waving shape for the playoffs.
Doc had this to say about the Knicks:
“Carmelo,” he said. “He’s their best player. But they have a lot of good players. And they have veterans, which is rare that we go into a series where a team is older than us and has more veterans, but they do, and that always plays well in the playoffs. They are going to be a very, very difficult opponent.”
Speaking of old guys, ESPN New York reports that Rasheed Wallace might play tonight, his first game action since December.
(GIF courtesy SB Nation)
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