NEW YORK - If you thought the Boston Celtics would return to full health Tuesday night, well, think again. Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus will both be held out of the Celtics' game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden (8 p.m. EST; TNT/WEEI). Allen is out with a swollen right ankle and Pietrus has been sent back to Boston with a knee injury.
"I had all my ETOs and stuff planned and got here, got a the grim reaper, that's what we call [trainer] Eddie [LaCerte] when he comes in, and he gave me the news," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. "Just roll with it, and we'll see tomorrow."
Allen has been sidelined with his ankle injury since Wednesday, April 11, but reports indicated that he would return to the lineup against the Knicks on Tuesday night. As for Pietrus, Rivers believes his injury is a result of the recent busy schedule.
"Probably the three games in a row," Rivers said. "You kind of forget that he's been out for so long, and we kind of threw him right back into the fire. Probably there a day or two, three games in a row for him. His knee swelled up, so we sent him back home right away."
Allen is averaging 14.2 points and Pietrus is averaging 6.8 points this season for Boston.
More pregame news and notes can be heard in the audio links below.
AUDIO: Doc Rivers Pregame (4-17-12) | AUDIO: Ray Allen Pregame (4-17-12)
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