Rondo, Allen out vs. Magic
WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Rajon Rondo (right wrist) will not play tonight vs. the Magic, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Avery Bradley will likely take his place in the starting lineup. Ray Allen (left ankle) did not make the trip, but Rivers said he could play tomorrow at home vs. Indiana.
Rivers said Rondo couldn't even make it through yesterday's practice without favoring the wrist, meaning he could miss a few more games.
"He can't play," Rivers said. "If he could play, he'd play. His hand just won't let him. It's not broken or anything. It's just extremely sore. He tried to shoot and do things yesterday and you could just see it's not way. There's no way he could have been effective."
Mickael Pietrus (shoulder) is expected to start in place of Allen tonight, and Keyon Dooling (right knee) and Chris WIlcox (left calf) are also expected to return for the Celtics. Jermaine O'Neal (left knee) is doubtful, though he could return tomorrow night against the Pacers as well.
If O'Neal can't go, Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett, Greg Stiemsma, and Wilcox will share the duty of guarding Dwight Howard.
- Gary Washburn, NBA writer
- Baxter Holmes, Celtics beat writer
- Gary Dzen, Boston.com senior sports producer