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Already down Rajon Rondo due to suspension and with Jermaine O'Neal (sprained left wrist) and Chris Wilcox (right adductor strain) nursing day-to-day injuries, the Celtics might be forced to use a 13th variation of their starting lineup Wednesday night during the pre-All-Star finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A glance at the 12 other lineups used this season, with their record (with help from numbers maintained by Celtics' media relations):
CELTICS 2011-12 STARTING LINEUPS WITH RECORD
| Games | Forward | Forward | Center | Guard | Guard | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Pavlovic | Garnett | O’Neal | Allen | Rondo | 0-3 |
| 12 | Pierce | Garnett | O’Neal | Allen | Rondo | 6-6 |
| 1 | Pierce | Garnett | Stiemsma | Allen | Rondo | 1-0 |
| 1 | Pierce | Garnett | O’Neal | Dooling | Rondo | 1-0 |
| 2 | Pierce | Garnett | Bass | Allen | Rondo | 0-2 |
| 4 | Pierce | Garnett | O’Neal | Allen | Bradley | 3-1 |
| 2 | Pierce | Bass | Garnett | Pietrus | Bradley | 2-0 |
| 1 | Pierce | Garnet | O’Neal | Pavlovic | Bradley | 1-0 |
| 1 | Pierce | Bass | Garnett | Allen | Bradley | 0-1 |
| 1 | Pierce | Wilcox | Garnett | Allen | Rondo | 1-0 |
| 1 | Pierce | Wilcox | O’Neal | Allen | Rondo | 0-2 |
| 1 | Pierce | Wilcox | O’Neal | Allen | Bradley | 0-1 |
What's startling to me is that we are only 31 games in and we've seen this many lineups for a team with four definite starters. The only spot in question may be the center spot, but it has remained clear that Jermaine O'Neal is Doc's starter when healthy. From my standpoint for a completely healthy roster, I'd like to see Chris Wilcox start games with the Big-4. Having someone to run with Rondo is a necessity and this lineup would also give the second unit a bonafide defending big man in O'Neal. They haven't lost with this starting lineup yet (1-0 baby!) although it was against the D-Roseless Bulls. Wilcox needs a playmaker on the floor with him to maximize his efficiency getting to the rim and Rondo fits this bill perfectly. Why not give it a shot Doc? What do you guys think?