Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Boston Celtics opted to not have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test performed on Nate Robinson's bruised right knee, suffered in the second quarter of Boston's 92-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
After the game, Robinson told CSNNE.com that he would have an MRI performed on Friday as a precautionary measure.
However, the injury doesn't appear serious enough to warrant further testing.
"We didn't think it was necessary," Ainge told CSNNE.com on Friday evening.
Following the loss, Robinson could not put weight on the knee or run.
Even with the pain, the 5-foot-9 guard was hopeful that the injury would not prevent him from playing in Sunday's game against the Miami Heat.
"I'm good," Robinson said following the loss on Thursday. "I just didn't want to put too much pressure on it. I want to save it for everything else that I need to do to work out if I'm ready for Sunday."
Did anyone see the Nate Robinson injury? From my recollection, TNT missed the play and never showed us Nate hopping back to the lockerroom. This makes it difficult for me to speculate on his return.
The lack of bodies is forcing Doc to play his big guns extended minutes.
Pierce has played 40-plus in three of five games this month; Rajon Rondo has played 43-plus the last two games; and Allen logged 40 last Sunday against Orlando and 39 the next night against Charlotte.
There is some uncertainty regarding Delonte West's return. Sherrod Blakely says West could return on Wednesday vs the Nets and makes no mention of Sunday's game. The Globe's Julian Benbow says Doc might be forced to play Delonte against Miami.
Random – Blakely may be the only sports reporter to write out Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
On Page 2, Miami really needs to win on Sunday.
Now that Round Three between the two teams is here, the Celtics are in position to unleash the kind of mental warfare that frankly, I don't believe the Heat can come back from.
Beating the Heat once?
OK, it happens.
Beating them twice?
Still, not that big a deal.
Beating them a third time, with three of their top four centers out and a couple of banged up bodies in the backcourt?
CSNNE – Showdown with Miami more than just a game
I agree with Sherrod 100%. Miami must win this game. They will get slaughtered by the media and the Skip Bayless's of the world if they don't.
And it's not as if the Celtics won't be motivated. With Miami's win over Detroit last night, the Heat (39-14) are a half game ahead of the Celtics (38-14).
Related link: Globe – Heat far more important
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Ray Allen's 5 Good Minutes on PTI | Is Ray in Larry's League? | Mailbag: Encountering Turbulence | Welcome back, rookie (Avery Bradley) | Herald – Ainge waits for ideal fit | ESPN – Lebron fires back at heckler |
