from Covers
Boston and Orlando split their four-game regular-season series, a record that is of little consolation for the Celtics because
Kevin Garnett missed one and played 16 minutes in the other before aggravating the right knee injury that is expected to keep him out for the duration of the playoffs. He is expected to have surgery as soon as it's clear he won't be ready to help in the postseason.
"We didn't win either game without Kevin," said Rivers, a former Magic coach and still an offseason resident of Orlando. "And so we're going to have to go and find out why."
Confident of victory - or preparing, just in case - Rivers had his staff put a playbook for a possible Orlando series in the players' cars when they arrived at the Garden for Game 7 on Saturday night. He gave the team the day off on Sunday to rest up, meaning the only time they'll work specifically on Orlando would be Monday's pregame shootaround.
"
It's similar to last year. I mean, we never got a break in the playoff series last year," Celtics forward Paul Pierce said. "I'd rather keep playing anyway. I think you get three, four days off you kind of lose it a little bit. Hey, just like the regular season, you play every other day, let's keep it going."
The Magic wrapped up their series against Philadelphia in six games on Thursday, and apparently have time to spare: They watched film of Garnett on Sunday, skeptical of whether the injured star is really out for the playoffs as the Celtics maintain. (Rivers has compared reports of Garnett's return to Bigfoot sightings.)
The Magic have their own injuries.
Guard
Courtney Lee is recovering from surgery on a fractured sinus that he injured in Game 5 against the 76ers. He has been cleared to play with a protective mask, but he is expected to miss at least the first two games of the Celtics series.
J.J. Redick is expected to start in his place.
Lee was injured by teammate
Dwight Howard, but another one of the Magic center's wayward elbows almost proved more costly. He was suspended for Game 6 in the first round for hitting Philadelphia's
Samuel Dalembert, leaving Howard back at his hotel room blogging and Tweeting while his teammates finished off the Sixers.
After watching film I wouldn't be surprised if Rivers employs the same strategy Philly did, Clamp down on the Outside shooters, Lewis and Torga and let Howard get his points by sending him to the line. Orlando worst freethrow shooting team in the NBA. River's game plan will try and exploit that fact.
