osted by Gary Washburn Globe Staff January 6, 2010 01:19 PM MIAMI -- The Celtics will almost be at full strength tonight against the Miami Heat when Celtics coach Doc Rivers announced that Rajon Rondo (left hamstring) and Paul Pierce (right knee) will return to the Celtics lineup.
Rondo missed one game with a strained hamstring but said he is at "91 percent" but he hasn't practiced full speed since the Dec. 30 loss to Phoenix. Pierce said he is not 100 percent but "I feel comfortable getting out there. I have been working hard the last few days and I am ready."
*Kendrick Perkins joined the team for shootaround Wednesday morning and he also will play but Eddie House (flu) is not with the team and may join the Celtics in Atlanta, but that is not certain.
*Kevin Garnett (right knee) was with the team but Rivers said he could be out "another week or two weeks. I haven't asked." Garnett was not on the court when the media was allowed into shootaround and he was not available for comment.
*Lastly, Marquis Daniels traveled with the team and had the hard cast removed from his surgically repaired left thumb. Daniels said he will have the thumb re-examined in three weeks and is still shooting for returning after the All-Star Break.
Rondo missed one game with a strained hamstring but said he is at "91 percent" but he hasn't practiced full speed since the Dec. 30 loss to Phoenix. Pierce said he is not 100 percent but "I feel comfortable getting out there. I have been working hard the last few days and I am ready."
*Kendrick Perkins joined the team for shootaround Wednesday morning and he also will play but Eddie House (flu) is not with the team and may join the Celtics in Atlanta, but that is not certain.
*Kevin Garnett (right knee) was with the team but Rivers said he could be out "another week or two weeks. I haven't asked." Garnett was not on the court when the media was allowed into shootaround and he was not available for comment.
*Lastly, Marquis Daniels traveled with the team and had the hard cast removed from his surgically repaired left thumb. Daniels said he will have the thumb re-examined in three weeks and is still shooting for returning after the All-Star Break.
