BOSTONThe Boston Celtics need one win to clinch the Atlantic Division, a goal that seems tougher to achieve with them having to continue playing short-handed.
The latest rash of injuries will sideline Rajon Rondo (back), Ray Allen (ankle) and Mickael Pietrus (knee) for tonight's game against Orlando which will be short-handed as well with Dwight Howard (back) and Hedu Turkoglu (facial fracture) not with the Magic.
Rondo's injury appears to be the least serious for the Celtics. Rivers said he does not anticipate Allen or Pietrus playing in Friday's game at Atlanta.
Boston will start Sasha Pavlovic in the backcourt with Avery Bradley for tonight's game against the Magic. It is unclear if the C's will stick with that lineup moving forward.
This will be the 12th game Allen has missed with the injury, and sixth straight.
"That's becoming troublesome for us," River said. "After (sitting Allen for Friday's game at Atlanta), we have three or four days off. Maybe the Miami game he'll be back."
Pietrus' injury may have more to do with him simply overdoing it after missing 10 games following a March 23 concussion at Philadelphia. He played in four games during a five-game span, which included extended minutes due to Allen being out.
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