The Celtics have long feared that this day might come. Now it's here.
The C's will be without both of their "O'Neal brothers" for the first time on Thursday night, as Jermaine O'Neal continues to rest his sore knee and Shaquille O'Neal takes the night off with calf and knee pain.
This means that Glen Davis is likely to fill in at center. Big Baby doesn't exactly live up to his nickname, listed at a generous 6-foot-9, but he'll be able to give the C's energy in the post, fighting for points and rebounds. Expect to see the much taller, longer Kevin Garnett matched up with Spencer Hawes, the Sixers' 7-footer, in the post.
The C's have been adjusting to injuries all season long. This is nothing new.
Here's how the lineups will likely fall into place for C's-Sixers:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Glen Davis, C
Sixers
Jrue Holiday, PG
Jodie Meeks, SG
Andre Iguodala, SF
Elton Brand, PF
Spencer Hawes, C
