Celtics Title Town

ESPN BOSTON

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said it's pretty simple when it comes to whether or not center Kevin Garnett will play in Monday's showdown with the Miami Heat.

"If he’s healthy, he’ll play," said Rivers. "And if he’s not, he will not."

Paul Pierce is planning as if Garnett will not play. "We don’t expect him to be back, right now," said Pierce. "And that’s the mindset we have to take. If he’s back, that’s just an added bonus for us to play Miami. Right now, as of today, we have to get it in our mind that this is the team that we’re going to see versus Miami, and we all gotta be ready to step up."

Brandon Bass is planning as if Garnett will play. "He'll be able to go," said Bass. "We're looking forward to him going, but if not, everybody's got to step up."

Taking a spot somewhere in between, Jason Terry offered: "I have no idea what [Garnett's] status will be, but whoever's in a white and green uniform will be ready to go."

It would be amazing if the Celtics beat the Heat without KG Monday. I won't be shocked if they win or lose the game. This team has proven to be resilient all season. So it wouldn't be a shock. This isn't the news that we want to hear. When it comes to injuries and the Celtics. We often feel that were being told half the truth. I think he plays, I'm with Bass on this.