The Celtics have battled all kinds of knee injuries this season to key players, but they're not the only ones. The Chicago Bulls sat Keith Bogans down for Wednesday's practice with a sore right knee.
Bogans is expected to return on Thursday night, though, and he'll start at shooting guard as the Bulls take on the C's at the United Center. The veteran swingman is one of two Bulls players to start all 77 games so far this season, along with Luol Deng.
While Bogans averages only 4.3 points per game, his role as a defensive stopper will be vital in this matchup. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau needs Bogans to slow down Ray Allen, who's averaged 19.3 points per game on 6-of-12 3-point shooting in three meetings with Chicago this season.
For the Celtics, no major news to report. Jermaine O'Neal remains the starter at center for Boston's Doc Rivers, Nenad Krstic is still coming off the bench, and Shaquille O'Neal is still days away from returning.
Here's the lineup card for C's-Bulls:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Jermaine O'Neal, C
Bulls
Derrick Rose, PG
Keith Bogans, SG
Luol Deng, SF
Carlos Boozer, PF
Kurt Thomas, C