Doc's orders in flux
WALTHAM -- When the Celtics play their first exhibition game against Cleveland Tuesday, Ricky Davis will start at shooting guard, Paul Pierce will start at small forward, and Raef LaFrentz will start at center. The starting point guard will be determined in the next few practice sessions, and either Kendrick Perkins or Mark Blount will start at power forward.
But don't read too much into that lineup, especially with Al Jefferson and Tony Allen injured. Coach Doc Rivers reserves the right to change his mind throughout the preseason. Many times.
''Ricky and Paul are our two best players, and there's part of me that thinks to play both of them, then either go small in the second unit or go huge with Justin [Reed] and Ryan [Gomes]," said Rivers. ''Honestly, right now, I don't know which way I'm going."
The decision about how to best use Davis gives Rivers the most sleepless nights, though the coach remains confident he will do whatever asked of him.
''It's more difficult this year than last year," said Rivers. ''We're young again, but we're more physical and tougher, so you can get away with going young with that second unit.
''Last year, we were young and a bad defensive group [with the second unit]. That's a deadly combination. And we were not scoring until we put Ricky in.
''A lot of me wants to start with our best veterans. Then, a lot of me wants to protect the second unit. Maybe we bring Ricky off the bench or start him and have a short rotation, play eight guys."
Regardless, both Pierce and Davis will play a lot of minutes, preferably close to 35 per game rather than 40.
Pierce, too, finds it difficult to say what role Davis should play.
''With the team we've got, it's a fine line," said Pierce. ''If you look at what Ricky did for us last year off the bench, he gave us that spark. Then, on the flip side, he's probably our second-best scorer and probably our second-best player and maybe he should be starting."
Davis also takes some of the defensive pressure off Pierce when the two play side by side. But since they play together a lot of the time, that would happen whether or not Davis starts.
Pierce added that there is also something to be said for the consistency Davis would bring to the starting lineup, whereas contributions from a less experienced player would not be as easy to predict.
Jefferson grounded
Rivers said Jefferson may return sooner than anticipated from a sprained left ankle, though he would make no guarantees. Jefferson hopes to return to action Wednesday. In any event, he will not travel with the team to Pittsburgh tomorrow because trainer Ed Lacerte believes he can receive better treatment at the team's training facility. ''I'm going to be pretty cautious," said Rivers. ''I'd rather sit him out an extra five days now than have him have a lingering problem." . . . Gomes tweaked his right groin but is not expected to miss any time.
