Pierce expected to play
WALTHAM - While Paul Pierce may be in pain, he is expected to be on the floor today for Game 7 against the Hawks. Pierce injured his right hip during Game 6 Friday night in Atlanta.
"He was the only guy that didn't go through walkthrough [yesterday]," said coach Doc Rivers. "Not because he couldn't, it's more that if he's hurting, no one is going to have him walking around on the floor. But I expect him to be fine."
Pierce is averaging 17.3 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds in the series. If Pierce has to miss time, the Celtics will likely turn to James Posey.
"Whatever happens happens," Posey said. "Get in, play my minutes hard, and try to be productive."
No bad choice
Reacting to a Los Angeles Times report that Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will be named the NBA's MVP - over Kevin Garnett, as well as New Orleans guard Chris Paul and Cleveland forward LeBron James - Rivers said, "I don't think you can have a wrong choice this year. I really believe that. Kobe is fantastic, is unbelievable. So is Kevin, so is Chris Paul, so is LeBron.
"If any one of those four guys won it, how would you have an argument against it?"
Drivers' education
The Celtics have made 102 of 133 free throws (76.7 percent) in the series, while the Hawks have hit 161 of 204 (78.9 percent). So, why are the Hawks shooting so many more free throws? "We're driving as well and we're not getting to the line," Rivers said. "So maybe we have to be more physical in our drives. Basically, in all the games, they've won the free throw discrepancy. We have to be better defensively, as far as staying in our stance on the weak side, not allowing dribble penetration. That's where the fouls are being called. A lot of them are off of loose balls where we get the rebound and then we foul. Both of those areas we can improve."
Comparing opinions
Ray Allen told his teammates that playing in a Game 7 is like playing in the NCAA Tournament. "You're one and done," he said. "You have to do whatever you can to win the game." Rivers begged to differ. "I see it as Game 7 in the NBA at home," Rivers said. "You don't have a home game in the NCAA Tournament."
