Shaquille O'Neal was hoping that Wednesday night, after three days of rest leading up to a big divisional showdown, he'd make his return from a calf injury and start for the Celtics against the host New York Knicks. Now it looks like that won't happen.
Shaq will be out of action again Wednesday, leaving rookie Celtics center Semih Erden to stand up to the Knicks' big, bad Amare Stoudemire. So much for the exciting clash between two former Phoenix Suns teammates.
Both teams have been going smaller lately — the Knicks have cut the minutes of former starting center Timofey Mozgov, using Amare more at the five, and the Celtics have used plenty of the shorter Glen Davis in place of the injured Shaq.
Rather than a war down low, Wednesday's contest might be a test of athleticism and shooting ability. Both teams have the right personnel to fight that fight.
Here's how things shake out for C's-Knicks:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Semih Erden, C
Knicks
Raymond Felton, PG
Landry Fields, SG
Danilo Gallinari, SF
Wilson Chandler, PF
Amare Stoudemire, C
