Sometimes, the phrase "game-time decision" needs to be taken as literally as possible.
Asked 45 minutes before tipoff about the chances of Rajon Rondo playing against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, coach Doc Rivers was still unsure. Until the ball's in the air and the clock starts ticking, the coach still has time to make up his mind.
"I think he's in," Rivers said. "But I'm not sure yet.
"He's been cleared 100 percent. He's passed every test. The thing I told [trainer Ed Lacerte] is Rondo had to be 100 percent, not just close, and he is. So, I told him most likely, he'd play, but I really haven't made my mind up. He'll probably play, but I could always change my mind. I don't want to mislead you."
Rondo has spent the last week recovering from a strained hamstring, and he's now on the verge of returning. If he plays, he definitely starts, according to Rivers, but if he sits out, you can expect to see plenty of Nate Robinson running the point. Last time Nate started against the Raptors was Sunday, and he torched them for 16 points in the first quarter alone. So even if Rondo can't go, the C's will be in good hands.
Here's how the lineup card looks if Rondo goes:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Shaquille O'Neal, C
Raptors
Jose Calderon, PG
DeMar DeRozan, SG
Sonny Weems, SF
Reggie Evans, PF
Andrea Bargnani, C
