Receiving advice from a master

NEW YORK - Newly minted Masters champion Trevor Immelman was in the house last night, seating courtside at the World's Most Famous Arena. (How does that happen?) But he wanted to see more than a game. He wanted to see the Celtics, up close and personal.

So, at halftime of the game, which the Celtics won, 99-93, Doc Rivers brought him into the Boston locker room. Rivers introduced his Orlando neighbor (the both play at Lake Nona) and the Celtics gave Immelman a standing ovation. Then, Immelman shook the hand of every Celtic, with Rivers telling his players, "touch the hand of a champion." The inference? Maybe it will rub off.

Ray Allen, one of the avid golfers on the team, got some private time with Immelman ("I'm sure Ray's game is messed up right now," Rivers joked) and Kendrick Perkins owned up to the fact that he watched the final round of the Masters Sunday afternoon.

"I recognized him when he came in," Perkins said. "I just didn't know he was that short."

Pierce takes a seat

The sight of a well-dressed Paul Pierce sitting in front of his locker at an NBA venue is not an unusual one. The Truth is a clothes horse. But seeing him in his customary nice threads along with an Ace bandage covering his left hand raised a few eyebrows before last night's win over the Knicks.

"I bruised my left wrist in the Atlanta game," Pierce said matter-of-factly. "I'm going to have X-rays tomorrow just as a precaution. I'll get some rest and we'll see how it feels. But I'll be all right and ready for the playoffs."

Rivers already had planned on giving Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett the night off anyway. All three sat, just as they did for the April 5 game at Charlotte, a game the Celtics won handily. Additionally, Eddie House also missed his third straight game with a strained right adductor. Rivers said House might be able to play tomorrow night in the regular-season finale.

As for Pierce, Rivers said he wasn't aware that his captain had even hurt his wrist.

"I don't think it's anything bad," Rivers said.

"They're ready to play," Rivers said of the players he rested. "To me, it's more about rest. I just like where we're at. I'll probably play them a little, not a lot, in the last game. It's home."

On a brighter note, Leon Powe, who missed the last two games with a sore right foot, returned, contributing 10 points and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes.

An MSG feast

Last night was Fan Appreciation Night at Madison Square Garden. So how do you reward fans for suffering through one of the worst, most bizarre seasons in Knicks history? Easy - free food! All fans attending the game could have as much free food and drink (non-alcoholic) as they wanted starting one hour before game time. It's the first time the Garden has done such a thing. Additionally, Knicks merchandise was on sale with discounts of up to 30 percent. The freebies and discounts were announced "to find a meaningful way to show our fans our appreciation," said MSG official Howard Jacobs. And would someone wearing a Garnett jersey have to pay? "We do not have a dress code," smiled a Knicks official . . . Rivers did not know that Garnett had been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the third such honor for the Big Ticket this season. While Garnett averaged 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals for the week, he also averaged only 25.8 minutes a game. "Maybe we'll keep sitting him and he'll get another one," Rivers cracked.

Hit the road, Isiah

Last night being the Knicks' regular-season home finale (they finish off tomorrow night in Indiana) also meant something beside free food: the likely last MSG gig for Isiah Thomas as Knicks coach. He needs a win against Indiana to avoid matching the team record for losses in a season (59), which has happened three times, including 2005-06, when Thomas was the president and general manager. And he is widely believed to be on new president Donnie Walsh's hit list. Asked if he wanted to coach next year, Thomas said, "My job is to do whatever the boss says. Since I've been here, I've been asked to wear a lot of different hats. I've tried to wear them and accommodate [the boss]." Rivers expressed sympathy for Thomas, whom he considers a friend. "I don't think Isiah is a bad coach," Rivers said. "I really don't."