"Paul Pierce packed like Imelda Marcos for the first road trip of the season, which ended in an 0-3 heap Wednesday night in New Orleans.

He had a different suit for each game, but enough with the suit talk. As much as the Celtics need their captain back from a bruised heel, Pierce is even more impatient to make his season debut, possibly tonight for the home opener against Detroit.

"I'm close very very close," he tweeted last night.

On Wednesday, Pierce admitted it's been difficult to watch the start of the season from the bench."