Pierce fires words

Paul Pierce had some tough, yet encouraging, words for Kendrick Perkins, who committed five fouls in nine minutes against Chalotte Wednesday night. Throughout his career, Perkins has struggled with foul trouble when given a signficant role.

''It's tough [to see Perkins in foul trouble],'' said Pierce. ''He's frustrated just as well as everybody else. But hopefully, Perk understands that, he watches the tape and understands what's keeping him out of games. It was the same things that was keeping him out of games last year. He has to smarten up. He has to become better at that. He's a year older, a year wiser and we expect him to do more. He's going to learn from it. [His game against the Bobcats] was probably one of the worst games he's played. To play nine minutes and get five fouls, it just can't happen.''

For his part, Perkins is making small adjustments to his game that he hopes will keep him out of foul trouble tomorrow night against Utah. With Al Jefferson expected to miss anywhere from two to six weeks due to an appendectomy, the Celtics will need Perkins on the floor as much as possible.