GARNETT ' S FOOT STRAIN GIVES HIM A LITTLE PAUSE
Rivers Kendrick Perkins
Kevin Garnett suffered a strain in his right mid-foot during Monday's Game 2 victory over the Cavaliers  while Kendrick Perkins hyperextended his right knee in that day's shootaround  though he still managed to play.
 Garnett reported to practice Wednesday and wanted to participate  telling Rivers he felt better  but that did not convince the coach. Perkins suited up but did not participate in drills and eventually left for treatment. He returned to the court following the team's workout and said he will be ready for Game 3 Friday.
 "After the game Monday it was hurting  and even more when I woke up the next morning " Perkins said. "It's still a little sore in my hamstring area. I am glad we had a few days to rest and hopefully I'll practice tomorrow. I'll be ready for Friday. I am glad we have a few days to rest."
 Garnett's injury is the more serious of the two. He was hurt in the second quarter of Game 2 when Perkins backed into him while defending a drive by Anderson Varejao. Paul Pierce suffered a similar injury Feb. 1 against Washington and missed two games  but the Celtics are hoping the extra rest will make Garnett available for Game 3.
 Perkins said he tweaked the knee simply running down the court. Still  his defense against Shaquille O'Neal has been effective. The Celtics have used Garnett and Perkins to plug up the middle and reduce the inside scoring of O'Neal  Antawn Jamison  and Anderson Varejao.
 O'Neal hurt the Celtics in the fourth quarter of Game 1 but is 8 for 22 in the series and Perkins has limited his easy chances at the rim. If O'Neal gets even a few steps from a dunk  Perkins is helpless to stop the 325-pound train.
 "The biggest thing with Shaq is  you don't let him get deep post-ups " Perkins said. "You try to fight him as much as you can and make him score over the top and no dunks  no layups. That's the game plan."
 When asked if O'Neal chatters during their matchup - which already has cost Perkins five stitches in his upper lip - Perkins said  "Nah  he doesn't talk. Shaq really don't talk. He just plays hard and just a big body that plays physical."
 The Celtics are hoping the physicality of the first two games won't cost them a starter  but they have been accustomed to playing shorthanded all season  so there is no sense of panic. Garnett has been remarkably healthy since the 10-game absence  playing in 39 straight before Rivers rested him for two of the final three regular-season games.
 Rivers is cautious when it comes to injured players practicing  so keeping Garnett away was no surprise.
 "This is just like a normal practice  not enough guys  that's the way it's been all year for us " said Rivers. "It was an easy practice because we knew what we had."
Kevin Garnett suffered a strain in his right mid-foot during Monday's Game 2 victory over the Cavaliers  while [TGT] hyperextended [TGT] right knee in that day's shootaround  though [TGT] still managed to play.
 Garnett reported to practice Wednesday and wanted to participate  telling Rivers [TGT] felt better  but that did not convince the coach. [TGT] suited up but did not participate in drills and eventually left for treatment. [TGT] returned to the court following the team's workout and said [TGT] will be ready for Game 3 Friday.
 "After the game Monday it was hurting  and even more when I woke up the next morning [TGT] said. "It's still a little sore in my hamstring area. I am glad we had a few days to rest and hopefully I'll practice tomorrow. I'll be ready for Friday. I am glad we have a few days to rest."
 Garnett's injury is the more serious of the two. [TGT] was hurt in the second quarter of Game 2 when [TGT] backed into [TGT] while defending a drive by Anderson Varejao. Paul Pierce suffered a similar injury Feb. 1 against Washington and missed two games  but the Celtics are hoping the extra rest will make Garnett available for Game 3.
 [TGT] said [TGT] tweaked the knee simply running down the court. Still  [TGT] defense against Shaquille O'Neal has been effective. The Celtics have used Garnett and [TGT] to plug up the middle and reduce the inside scoring of O'Neal  Antawn Jamison  and Anderson Varejao.
 O'Neal hurt the Celtics in the fourth quarter of Game 1 but is 8 for 22 in the series and [TGT] has limited his easy chances at the rim. If O'Neal gets even a few steps from a dunk  [TGT] is helpless to stop the 325-pound train.
 "The biggest thing with Shaq is  you don't let [TGT] get deep post-ups [TGT] said. "You try to fight [TGT] as much as you can and make [TGT] score over the top and no dunks  no layups. That's the game plan."
 When asked if O'Neal chatters during their matchup - which already has cost [TGT] five stitches in his upper lip [TGT] said  "Nah  [TGT] doesn't talk. Shaq really don't talk. [TGT] just plays hard and just a big body that plays physical."
 The Celtics are hoping the physicality of the first two games won't cost them a starter  but they have been accustomed to playing shorthanded all season  so there is no sense of panic. Garnett has been remarkably healthy since the 10-game absence  playing in 39 straight before [TGT] rested him for two of the final three regular-season games.
 [TGT] is cautious when [TGT] comes to injured players practicing  so keeping Garnett away was no surprise.
 "This is just like a normal practice  not enough guys  that's the way it's been all year for us " said [TGT]. "It was an easy practice because we knew what we had."