"Amid the strongest declaration yet about Shaquille O'Neal's impending return to the Boston Celtics' rotation, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday, "It won't alter what either team does."

With the Celtics bypassing practice Thursday in favor of a non-contact walkthrough, Celtics coach Doc Rivers spoke optimistically at the team's practice facility in Waltham, Mass., after consulting with the massive veteran center and Celtics trainer Ed Lacerte.

"I am expecting Shaq," Rivers said. "He told me he was going to play, and Eddie thought he would play. I expect him to play, and if he didn't, it would be because something went wrong in practice, or his body didn't respond. But I expect him."

O'Neal has played just once since Feb. 1 due to a calf injury and has practiced just once since April 3, a workout this past Monday at the University of Miami.

The Celtics, amid this three-day break in this Eastern Conference semifinal series, will try to work O'Neal back into the mix Friday, in advance of Saturday's Game 3 at TD Garden.

"We won't let him do too much, but how much is too much?" Rivers asked rhetorically. "How the hell do I know? Walking to the floor could be too much. We'll find that out."

While O'Neal's presence has loomed amid the Heat's 2-0 start to the best-of-seven matchup, Spoelstra has not allowed a return by the former Heat center to overshadow greater concerns.

"It just gives 'em another big body, big presence to impact the game under the rim," Spoelstra said. "It's a physical series, so he would be able to help in that regard."

The Heat have been playing extended stretches with lithe big men Joel Anthony and Chris Bosh as their power rotation."