Rivers sets timetable for Powe, Garnett

By Gary Dzen

April 10, 2009

1 minute to read

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said before tonight’s game against the Heat that forwards Leon Powe and Kevin Garnett have not suffered setbacks in their rehab and will join the team on its upcoming road trip.

“[Powe] looked good, actually,” said Rivers. “That was a pleasant surprise. That was the one bright spot of the day. He looked good, and it looks like he’ll be ready for the playoffs.”

Rivers said Garnett was fine as well, but added, “We aren’t allowing him to do much but shoot, and he’s doing that fine. That’s all we want him to do.”

Despite that, Rivers gave Garnett the best chance to return for Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia. He all but ruled out Powe for that game, and also said Brian Scalabrine would not play.

Rivers also had some praise for point guard Rajon Rondo before the game. Rondo has scored more than 20 points in each of his last three contests.

“The biggest change in Rondo this year is he can sense now when the team needs offense,” said Rivers. “And he has the ability to score or help us score. Last year I don’t think he did that…that’s something he would have never even tried to do last year.”