Shaquille O’Neal is finally ready to return for the Celtics on Sunday night against the Detroit Pistons, but he’s not breaking into the starting five just yet.
The 39-year-old Shaq, who hasn’t played since Feb. 1 because of an inflamed Achilles, will come off the bench for Celtics coach Doc Rivers on Sunday. Rivers expects to use him for five to seven minutes in the first half, and perhaps a few minutes more in the second. Meanwhile the other O’Neal, the 32-year-old Jermaine, will get his first start of 2011.
Jermaine O’Neal missed nearly three months recovering from knee surgery, making his return on Thursday night. He’s played a total of 27 minutes in his first two games back, accumulating six points and two rebounds total. He hasn’t started a game since Nov. 8.
After starting on Friday night in Atlanta, Glen Davis returns to the bench. He’s expected to anchor the C’s second unit along with Shaq, Jeff Green and Delonte West.
Here’s the lineup card for C’s-Pistons:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Jermaine O’Neal, C
Pistons
Will Bynum, PG
Richard Hamilton, SG
Tayshaun Prince, SF
Greg Monroe, PF
Chris Wilcox, C
