BOSTON - Paul Pierce will see his first action of the 2011-12 season on Friday night, as Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers told Sean Grande of WEEI that the Celtics' captain will start against the Detroit Pistons in the home opener.
Pierce missed the majority of training camp with a bruised right heel suffered a few days before the start of camp. As a result, Pierce missed the team's two preseason games against the Toronto Raptors as well as the first three games of the season. On Christmas Day, Pierce was with the Celtics as they took on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Two days later, Pierce was a game-time decision against the Miami Heat before the Celtics decided to shut him down for the road trip finale against the New Orleans Hornets.
Pierce has averaged 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 13 seasons in Boston.
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