Doc Rivers tonight said definitively that he doesn't think there's any chance injured forward Kevin Garnett won't be ready for the first or second round of the playoffs.

"I don't think there is," said Rivers. "I think he absolutely will [play]. Obviously there's always a chance, but I would be very, very surprised if Kevin Garnett weren't playing in Game 1 of the playoffs."

Rivers said he thinks the Celtics could still win a championship without Garnett being 100 percent healthy.

"Yeah, we can [win a championship]," said Rivers. "Defensively is where we need him. Offensively we need his shot and all that, his leadership on the floor. And I think he will be 100 percent or close to it."

The Celtics are characterizing their handling of the Garnett situation as one of caution rather than concern, and Rivers' comments tonight add to that line of thinking. When asked how confident he was about his team's chances in the playoffs irrespective of seeding, Rivers said, "Very. I like our team. If we're healthy out there I'm very confident in this basketball team."

While Rivers stressed he doesn't think this will be a possibility, he said he didn't like Boston's chances of winning a title without KG being on the floor.

"Obviously that would be very difficult," he said. "Let's hope that's something we don't have to find out."

Bobcats coach Larry Brown said before the game that having a player like Garnett healthy is more important than making a push for playoff seeding.

"This home court, if you split the first two away from home, you've got the home court," said Brown.