Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins watched Saturday's practice from the sideline after his problematic right knee acted up before the session but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
"His knee is bothering him," Rivers said. "He tried to go early, but it started bothering him a lot. He wanted to go, but I told him, 'Look, I don't need you tonight, you're not going to help me today in practice. I need you tomorrow.' So I shut him down."
Rivers said he expects Perkins to play Sunday, and much of the talk at Celtics practice revolved around the role Perkins will play in defending the Magic's Dwight Howard.
Obviously this causes a degree of concern, mainly due to the fact that Perk is our first option to guard Orlando's best player, Dwight Howard. Hopefully Perk can battle through the games, get sufficient treatment on the off days, and then really take advantage of the three days of rest between Games 2 and 3.
As for Orlando, starting forward Matt Barnes is battling back issues, but is also expected to start tomorrow:
Magic forward Matt Barnes has missed practice because of back spasms but expects to start Sunday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Boston.
Barnes said after Saturday's practice that he feels pain in the lower-left side of his back. The injury recently flared up after first occurring in Game 3 of the Magic's second-round sweep of Atlanta.