Paul Pierce underwent an MRI on Monday but expects to continue playing through an ailing right hand and left foot. Could Pierce’s nagging injuries get in the way of the Celtics’ championship aspirations?
On Sunday, Boston’s leading scorer had just one point, missed all 10 shot attempts and was even stripped of his defensive duties on LeBron James in favor of 6-foot-1 Rajon Rondo. That sounds like the making of a Boston beatdown at the hands of a Miami team that entered the game having won 30 of their previous 36 games. But the Celtics won despite Pierce’s struggles.
Many great stars have bad games, but the Celtics still win when Pierce shoots poorly. In the past three seasons (including playoffs), the forward has been held under 10 points 21 times — a high amount considering James has not had one single-digit game in that span. The Celtics are 18-3 when Pierce doesn’t reach double-digits.
They simply don’t need him to play well in order to still win.
After spending 13 years in Boston, Pierce is the face of the franchise. But he’s the fourth most important player on this team.
Kevin Garnett is the emotional leader and still one of the best low-post and pick-and-roll defenders in the league.
At 35 years old, Ray Allen has career highs in field goal percentage (50.2) and 3-point shooting (45.6) to go along with being a very underrated defender.
Rondo — who had a triple-double against the Heat — is the young guy that has helped this aging team stay atop the Eastern Conference by putting his teammates in perfect scoring position.
Pierce is playing hurt. But it’s a good thing the Celtics have three other All-Stars to lean on.
