WALTHAMThe Boston Celtics will be once again be short-handed when they host the Detroit Pistons tonight.
There was some glimmer of optimism, though, following the team's shootaround this morning. There's a chance that both Kevin Garnett (hip flexor) and Mickael Pietrus (knee) -- players that head coach Doc Rivers said on Tuesday were both doubtful for tonight's game -- are available.
Pietrus said "of course," when asked by CSNNE.com if he were playing tonight. And a team official said Garnett, who participated fully in the team's shoot-around, is probable.
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The only Celtic player to not participate in the team's shoot-around is Brandon Bass. He told CSNNE.com that he would not return to the floor until sometime after the All-Star break.
Jermaine O'Neal, who did not play on Sunday against Chicago because of a shoulder injury, told reporters Wednesday morning that he will play tonight.
That means Chris Wilcox, who had 11 points and nine rebounds filling in for O'Neal in Boston's win over Chicago, will once again be coming off the bench.
If Garnett is unable to play, the C's will likely turn to JaJuan Johnson who had a career-high 12 points off the bench in the win over Chicago.