Sunday, June 8, 2008 - Page updated at 09:30 PM
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
Celtics' Paul Pierce OK for Game 2 against Lakers
AP Sports Writer
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce practiced without difficulty Sunday and was cleared to play in Game 2 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Center Kendrick Perkins said he would start as well.
"I'm not that concerned about Paul. I really am not," coach Doc Rivers said before the game. "He played one-on-one this morning and he looked good, so he's not a concern to me much at all. I think he'll be fine tonight."
Pierce wore a white sleeve over his knee as he played pickup with Sam Cassell at the end of Sunday morning's shootaround at the team's practice facility. Rivers said Pierce showed no ill-effects of the right knee sprain that sent him to the locker room in a wheelchair during Game 1.
Pierce does not talk to the media after game-day shootarounds, Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said. Pierce was in the training room before the game and unavailable for comment.
Center Kendrick Perkins, who sprained his ankle in Boston's 98-88 victory in Game 1, said before the game that he will play.
"I'm going," he said in the locker room about 50 minutes before tipoff.
Perkins did nothing more strenuous than shoot free throws at the shootaround and will be a game-time decision for Game 2.
"There's just no reason to push him," Rivers said. "With an ankle, it's going to swell up. Let him swell up after the game instead of now."
If Perkins can't play, P.J. Brown would take his place in the starting lineup.
"I'm going to give him a chance, obviously. I think we just wait and see and watch," Rivers said before the game. "He could actually be healthy sometimes, or any of them, and get beat off the dribble, and the key is you don't overreact to it. And so, you know, it's going to just be with eyes and feel with both guys."
Both players responded well to the extra day of rest between the first two games of the best-of-seven series, Rivers said.
"I like the every other day rotation," Rivers said. "But in this case, we needed the extra day."
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
NBA Notebook | Suns get Jason Richardson "to shake things up"
NBA Notebook | Cavs' LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas set steals, rebound marks
NBA Notebook | T-wolves' woes put Randy Wittman in jeopardy
NBA Notebook | Celtics stop Blazers' roll

nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Man says he will protest city's gun ban by carrying gun into community center
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15




