Doc: 'Concerned with both' Pierce, Ray

WALTHAM -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers did not sound optimistic that he would have Paul Pierce and Ray Allen anywhere near full strength when Boston opens its best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series Saturday night at TD Garden against the 76ers. The Celtics, who moved on to Round 2 with an 83-80 win over the Hawks Thursday night at home, did not have full practice Friday, instead opting for a light shootaround followed by more intensive film session on Philadelphia. 

"It's a challenge because of bodies," Rivers said before Saturday's film session and light shootaround. "The Sixers are pretty healthy, we're not so that's the challenge. Ray is struggling today, Paul is struggling today. That's a challenge. The only advantage we have is we don't have to get on a plane. Our guy can sleep in their beds tonight and tomorrow night and get some rest."

Both Pierce and Allen sat out Friday's walkthrough, following a shootaround. Pressed as to whether Pierce or Allen were closer to being ready for Game 1, Rivers sounded an ominous tone. 

"I don't [know]," he said. "I'm concerned with both, to be honest. I don't even want to give a percentage."

Pierce is dealing with a sprained MCL in his left knee, suffered last Sunday before Game 4 against Atlanta. Allen reported feeling no improvement from stiffness and soreness from bone spurs in his left ankle. 

"Yeah, I expect to play," Pierce said. "I feel like I can play [Saturday]. I'm just getting the treatments. I'm dealing with a sprained knee, getting as much ice as possible. It's probably not going to heal until the season is over so I'm just doing the necessary steps that I can to make sure I don't overdo it or put myself in a position where I could really hurt my career, moving forward, being at the age at I'm at. But I'm confident with the way it feels that I'm capable of going out there.

"It really doesn't bother me when I walk around or jump straight up. It's more if I turn the turn the knee in a certain position, I reaggravate it. I don't have any problem getting up and down the court. It's just that certain parts of the game where you get in the lane or physicality of the game, to where you're turning the knee. That's why I'm wearing two knee braces just to kind of prevent that."

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