Doc Rivers: Paul Pierce will "for sure" play Wednesday night vs. Detroit


Last night Paul Pierce missed just his second game in what has been a remarkable 15th pro season. The Celtics fell to 0-2 without him, losing to two inept basketball teams (Charlotte and Minnesota) by a combined 38 points in those games.

Pierce tweaked his ankle in the Celtics blowout loss to the Knicks on Sunday night, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers said that Pierce sat out for personal reasons, not the ankle injury. Considering the NBA's strange practice of fining the Spurs $250,000 for sitting their stars back in November, it's possible that this was just a subtle cover up for sending Pierce back to Boston a little early to rest.

As for when Pierce will return, Doc answered that questions pretty emphatically. From the Boston Globe (link).

Rivers said Pierce “for sure” would play Wednesday night against the Pistons.

With Kevin Garnett still on the mend, the Celtics desperately need Pierce back as they start a crucial stretch of games. With only eight games remaining the Celtics are only 1.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks and in danger of falling into a first round death trap with Miami.

The C's need to win as many of these eight games as possible, and considering how lost they've looked without Pierce - getting him back tomorrow night is a good start.

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