Rivers: ‘We’re 100 percent’
Celtics coach Doc Rivers confirmed that Kevin Garnett (foot) and Kendrick Perkins (knee) will start against the Cavaliers tonight.
“No MRIs,” Rivers joked when asked about Garnett, making a reference to the saga surrounding LeBron James’s elbow. “But no, he’s fine. Kevin’s fine. He’s able to do everything. We’re 100 percent. We’re ready to go.”
Rivers said it was nice to get back onto the court after not playing since Game 2 on Monday.
“It’s been a while,” said Rivers. “But it’s nice. We needed it. I’m sure they needed it. Now it’s time to play and not talk anymore, and that’s terrific.”
All this time off has helped the Celtics nurse their injuries, but from a coach’s perspective, the days off can lead to too much thinking.
“Usually it’s not as much chess match as you think,” said Rivers. “It’s trying to get your guys to do what they should be doing all along more than any actual changes.”
— Rivers was asked if he or Garnett were going to give Rasheed Wallace a pep talk before Game 3, similar to the talk Garnett gave Wallace before Game 2.
“Hot tub time machine,” said Rivers. “He’s going back in that again. It works … But everyone has to play well. If he plays well and someone else doesn’t it hurts us in that way. We all have to play well.”
— “Listen we’re playing well, but we want to just keep going and playing better, we don’t want to have a celebration yet. We haven’t done anything.”
Rivers also refused to say whether or not Rajon Rondo has been the best player in the series so far.
“This series is two games old,” said Rivers. “It’s early in the series to be crowning anybody.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com