WALTHAM – Paul Pierce [stats], the movement in his left knee greatly improved, ran through most of today’s practice. Barring a flare-up in the knee, which has been drained twice and treated with antibiotics for an infection, the Celtics [team stats] captain expects to pay in tomorrow night’s game in Miami.
Doc Rivers, back from a day off to tend to personal business, said that though Rajon Rondo [stats] (hamstring) participated in today’s walk-through activities, the point guard is merely possible for the Miami game. Kendrick Perkins [stats] and Eddie House spent the morning in bed with the flu, though Perkins had improved enough by this afternoon that Rivers expected the center to make the flight to Miami.
House, with a more serious case, is considered doubtful for tomorrow night’s game.
“I got a good practice in today – felt pretty good, probably not 100 percent, but it’s getting better,” said Pierce. “I got a chance to run the last couple of days on the treadmill. I shot every day, rode the bike every day, so I’m as confident as I’m going to be. It’s just a matter of the swelling going down. I have a lot more flexibility than I’ve had in the last few days. I saw some flashes today.
“I went through the meat and potatoes of it,” said Pierce. “I talked to the doctors, and the side effect is if it swells again. So I’ll continue to get treatment, take pills and go from there.”
Pierce attempted to dispel any notion that due to the team’s short-handed situation, he is rushing himself back.
“Not at all,” he said. “I’m coming back because I feel good. You know Kevin’s going to be out, and maybe Rondo will play -- I don’t know for sure. But I don’t feel pressure at all to come back out here. I wouldn’t do that to myself. I wouldn’t do that to my body at this point in my career.
“I’m just a little stronger. I’ve tried to work on my quads, my calves, getting all of those things stronger. If you don’t get that flexibility, your muscles shut down. Strength in those areas takes pressure off.”
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