Projo Sports Blog

-- Paul Pierce said after practice today that he wants to play tomorrow versus Orlando.

"I feel pretty good with the light practice," Pierce said after practice today. "I'm good to go tomorrow. It's a lot better than it was yesterday, so it's improving but not quite 100 percent, but it's getting there. It's a matter of healing. It's a sprain in the mid-foot. It's a little odd where it is at. It really hurt the last couple days, but I've been getting necessary treatment. It's getting better every day."

While Pierce says he wants to play, Boston coach Doc Rivers said that he might keep Pierce out.

"I thought he looked good until we ran a couple live plays, then he was a little hesitant," Rivers said. "And if he's hesitant, then I will probably sit him."

"I feel like I could have went last game," Pierce countered. "I'm really ready to go."

Pierce also said that he believes it's his decision on whether or not he plays and acknowledged that he was a little hesitant on plays, but he said that he's "good to go."

Pierce said that he wants to play in Boston's last two games before the All-Star break so that he can get his rhythm back and to determine if he can play in the All-Star game.

"It's definitely important, because I want to go into the break with a little momentum because we have a tough stretch here [when] we go out west ," Pierce said. "We have some really tough game so it is definitely important to get these next two in."

When asked if he was going to play in the All-Star game, Pierce said that he will "see how it feels. [I will] see how it feels tomorrow and Wednesday, and then see how it goes through the all-star game. If things don't work out then they're not going to work out.

"But I've been able to move around on it. Even the day after I could walk on it. It's odd, I've never had a sprain in that part of my foot. The hardest part is putting on the shoe."

Pierce's backup, Marquis Daniels, also said he was targeting Sunday for his return. Daniels (thumb surgery) has not played since Dec. 4.

"I think I'm ready," said Daniels. "Hopefully tomorrow I'm ready to go, whatever minutes I get."

Both appear to be a game-time decision.

"Marquis looked pretty good, actually," Rivers said. "Besides not knowing any of our stuff, he looked OK. Paul I'm more considered with. If he's hesitant at all, we'll just on [him playing] tomorrow.

"Marquis played hard, he played normal. He just needs to figure out [the playbook] and that will take time. I don't know yet on [Daniels or Pierce]. I would say 50/50, probably on both of them right now. Even if Marquis dresses, I still don't know if he's play tomorrow. I'm not sure he'll play."

 Tags  Boston Celtics Celtics Paul Pierce Rob Lee Robert Lee

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