Perk's knee is hurting

[Roy Hobbs]

Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins watched Saturday's practice from the sideline after his problematic right knee acted up before the session but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic  on Sunday.

Perkins, who had ice packs on both knees during practice, battled tendinitis in his right knee late in the season, then hyperextended it during the shootaround May 3 before Game 2 in Cleveland.

Coach Doc Rivers didn't seem overly concerned Saturday, but erred on the side of caution. Game 1 is Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Orlando.

"His knee is bothering him," Rivers said. "He tried to go early, but it started bothering him a lot. He wanted to go, but I told him, 'Look, I don't need you tonight, you're not going to help me today in practice. I need you tomorrow.' So I shut him down."

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5191250

[BudweiserCeltic]

Kneegate, when will it end ESPN??!!

[celticinorlando]

i think sheed is going to give howard some fits...he has in the past

[j804]

i think sheed is going to give howard some fits...he has in the past

I hope so, I understand that Sheeds long and gets in passing lanes poking the ball out of Howards hands....but something tells me Sheed is also going to be in foul trouble a lot. Sheeds not the best at fighting for position and once Howards within 5ft or so of the basket Sheed tends to not go for the block and is going to probably just hack or wrap him up. Again and again and again. I hope not because if Perk is already in foul trouble as well we will get abused. Shelden and baby can not stop Howard.

[Drucci]

The news sucks obviously, but hopefully it's nothing serious and some treatment and rest will be enough for Perk, like it was during the series Cleveland (I remember he had a knee problem for game 3 or 4 right?).

We need Perk to be close to full strength to defend on Howard. Sheed does a surprisingly good job on Dwight too but mike j804 I'm scared he will get in foul trouble often.

[angryguy77]

Lets hope this doesn't lead to a bad pracice like it did between games 2 and 3.

[Donoghus]

Let's hope he's fine.

He's a huge key to this ORL series.

[Who]

i think sheed is going to give howard some fits...he has in the past

I feel very good about Sheed's defense on Dwight.

His offense, on the other hand, is a huge variable. It could be a huge a weapon or a non-event.

[wiley]

No it isn't.  His knee feels great.  Better than ever actually.  His knee is like freshly oiled gears of a brand new bicycle.  His knee is filled with roses and smells like violets.....Some art photographer is about to launch a successful career with a series of photos of Perk's knee....The outside is a Rodin and the inside is a Swiss clock...

[Prof. Clutch]

Come on Perk, we need you!

[FallGuy]

The best way to handle Perk's knee injury is to lay a lot of hard fouls on Vince Carter.

I know that doesn't make any sense but I'm going to be calling for it all series, anyway.

[jr_3421]

Shelden and baby can not stop Howard.

I disagree. At least in terms of BBD. I can't really remember how he defends Howard but I would think his strength and leverage would keep Howard from getting good position and force him to take difficult post shots. Howard, however, would destroy Shelly.

[BudweiserCeltic]

BBD defends Howard quite well. It's not fool proof, but it's more than manageable.

[jr_3421]

BBD defends Howard quite well. It's not fool proof, but it's more than manageable.

Exactly. I can't think of any back-up big that could do a better job.

[BudweiserCeltic]

BBD defends Howard quite well. It's not fool proof, but it's more than manageable.

Exactly. I can't think of any back-up big that could do a better job.

Sheed defends him quite well also.

We're set with people to throw at Howard regardless of his success or not.