If the Boston Celtics are going to keep their season alive with a win in Wednesday night's Game 5 in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat, they'll likely have to do so without Shaquille O'Neal. The center is "doubtful" for the contest, but after playing just under four minutes in Game 4, that may be a generous assessment.
O'Neal did not play at all in the second half or overtime against the Heat Monday night, and Doc Rivers said it was because of health.
"It was physical," Rivers said at the team's shootaround prior to Game 5. "Don't know yet today. I will say I doubt it. That little stretch of the game it got worse."
Shaq, bothered by an Achilles injury, has appeared in just three games since Feb. 4, and has only seen 12 minutes of action in the Celtics' eight playoff games.
The Celtics, down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, face the Heat in a must-win Game 5 Wednesday night in Miami.