December 20th, 2011 
Russ Loede 
Posted in 
Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce will sit out Wednesday’s preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors with a bruised heel and his status for the Christmas Day season opener against the New York Knicks is uncertain.
“It’s just a heel bruise,” said coach Doc Rivers. “He went real hard (Monday) and it got real sore. We just want him to rest.”
Pierce sat out Tuesday’s practice.
Rivers said he’s not concerned long-term, but is worried about Pierce’s availability out of the gate with three games in four nights to start the season.
If Pierce is unable to go Christmas Day in New York, then Marquis Daniels would fill his spot in the starting lineup.
“I like when guys separate themselves and that’s what I tell them all the time,” said Rivers. “Right now, Marquis is clearly separating himself, and that’s what you have to do. You have to make it so it’s no thought — ‘You’re in Marquis.’ I don’t look down there and say, ‘Uh, which one (should I put in)?’”
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