The Celtics are relying heavily on their depth because they can’t seem to stay healthy for long. On Monday, it was Jermaine O’Neal out with a strained hamstring, and yesterday Ray Allen was sent home from shootaround with flulike symptoms and told not to report to TD Garden for last night’s game against the Nets unless he improved. He didn’t.
Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo are the lone starters to play in all seven games. Paul Pierce missed the first three because of a bruised right heel.
Allen acknowledged after his 27-point performance in Monday’s 100-92 win over the Wizards that he was battling an illness.
Last night, coach Doc Rivers opted for veteran Keyon Dooling over Avery Bradley and Sasha Pavlovic as Allen’s replacement in the starting lineup.
“He’s human, he bleeds,’’ Rivers joked. “We told him to just stay away. I guess the flu is going around, from what I hear.’’
Meanwhile, newly acquired Mickael Pietrus is getting closer to full health. He participated in the shootaround and said he is about 10 days from game action. He has been working before games on his surgically repaired right knee with strength and conditioning coach Bryan Doo.
Pietrus could practice for the first time today.
“It’s just getting around my teammates and learning from each other,’’ Pietrus said. “Just learn the plays, so when I get healthy, I’ll be ready to play with my teammates and it will be much easier for me.
“The knee is feeling good right how. I am very happy it’s getting stronger.’’
Time well spent
The Celtics have been erratic through seven games, blaming the compressed schedule, an abbreviated training camp, and a lack of practice time.
The next six days could be critical, because they play only once, tomorrow against Indiana. The Celtics will have five opportunities to practice before Wednesday’s game against the defending champion Mavericks.
That practice time could be especially important to Pierce, who missed camp because of a bruised right heel. He scored a team-high 24 points in 29 minutes last night, but acknowledges he’s still not in premium shape.
“This is going to be great for me,’’ he said. “Just to get sharp with some of the things I’m doing.’’
Problems of their own
The Nets also were not at full strength, missing three starters. Center Brook Lopez likely will miss another six weeks because of a broken right foot. He has given the Celtics problems in the past.
Point guard Deron Williams strained his oblique in Monday’s loss to the Pacers and ruled himself out during shootaround yesterday. Forward Kris Humphries missed the game with a sprained left shoulder.