Bass out up to two weeks with sore knee

The Celtics will once again be without Jermaine O'Neal when they play the Bulls on Sunday and they will also be missing sixth man Brandon Bass, who is dealing with a sore knee. Bass missed one game earlier this season, but it swelled up after Friday's game in Toronto.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said that O'Neal was day-to-day, but Bass could be out for 10 days to two weeks. It's a significant blow for the Celtics who will start Chris Wilcox at center opposite Kevin Garnett and will have to rely on rookies Greg Stiemsma and JaJuan Johnson for depth.

Asked if Johnson was ready to contribute meaningful minutes, Rivers said, "Not yet. I think he’s getting close. You’ve got to execute when you’re on the floor. That’s an area he has to improve on. He’s talented, but there’s a level, to me, of intensity that you have to play with every night and focus and he’s inconsistent in that. But he’s getting there and he’s a great kid and he will get there."

The good news for the Celtics is that Keyon Dooling (knee), Sasha Pavlovic (wrist) and Avery Bradley (shoulder) are all available.

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