Grieving Rivers hopeful for NJ

Celtics coach Doc Rivers was slated to take a private jet following tonight’s game against Atlanta to his hometown of Chicago to attend his father Grady’s funeral late Saturday morning. Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and possibly other team executives are expected to support Doc by attending the funeral. Grady died last Sunday in Chicago.

“Doc and I are good friends,” said Ainge, on his decision to attend the funeral. “It’s that simple.”

The Celtics players cannot attend the services due to Saturday's game at New Jersey.

“Unfortunately we can’t be there because of the game,” Celtics forward Paul Pierce said. “Our blessings go out to Doc and his family.”

Rivers still expects to take a private jet from Chicago to New Jersey after the funeral to coach against the Nets. Rivers also was in Chicago last Sunday and Monday week after his father’s death and is happy that there is a lot of support for his mother in Chicago since he left to return to the team.

“(My family’s) doing good,” Rivers said. “A lot of family around. A lot of friends. It’s good for my mom. I’m more concerned when they leave than I am right now…

“I’m most likely going to the game and going to coach. That’s our plan. It’s just something I’m going to go through. It’s going to be a long day for me. We have these in our lives. We have to deal with them the best that we can.”