"For all the concern regarding the effects of an abbreviated NBA season on an aging Celtics roster, the team won't even be able to get out of the blocks healthy.

Already without key reserve Jeff Green (heart condition) for the season, the Celtics could be missing Paul Pierce when they unwrap the regular season on Christmas Day in New York against the Knicks. A bruised right heel sidelined Pierce for last night's 81-73 preseason finale win against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden, and the injury has the captain's status in jeopardy for Sunday.

"Whatever iffy is, he is that," coach Doc Rivers said before last night's game. "Honestly, I don't know. A bruise, and that's what it is, on the heel, it heals slowly but it heals. It's gotten a lot better, but we just don't know yet.""