Rondo, who missed eight games with a sprained right wrist, is averaging a career-high 14.8 points with 9.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds. He collected his ninth regular-season triple double Feb. 12 against the Bulls and has been the Celtics’ most consistent player this season.
But when the All-Star rosters were announced Feb. 9, New Jersey’s Deron Williams was chosen as a reserve instead.
Rondo responded with 5 points, 7 assists, and 5 turnovers in a bizarre performance Feb. 10 against the Raptors. After the game, he said he wasn’t bothered by the omission, but his pain was apparent to Rivers.
“He clearly thought he should have made it, and so did we, but the injury, honestly, he was just injured at the wrong time,’’ said Rivers. “Right when people were voting. It’s good that he’s on it.
“I think it bothered him. He came back and we were rolling, so I think that drove him to want to play better than who was on the team.’’
In the Celtics’ 96-81 loss to the Pistons Sunday, Rondo was suspended by the NBA for throwing a ball at official Sean Wright. He left the team after learning of the suspension in Dallas Monday but changed his vacation plans when informed that he may be a candidate to replace Johnson.
This will be Rondo’s third consecutive All-Star appearance and perhaps a validation that he is one of the league’s top point guards.
“That’s great,’’ said Rivers. “He deserves it. He’s having a hell of a birthday.’’
Hole at center
Last night, the Celtics were without big men Chris Wilcox and Jermaine O’Neal, who returned to Boston for further examination of their injuries. Wilcox left Monday’s loss to the Mavericks with a strained right groin muscle, and O’Neal left with a sprained left wrist.
Rivers began the game with two available centers - Kevin Garnett and Greg Stiemsma - and if Garnett is used as a center, it robs the Celtics of a power forward.
Mickael Pietrus got the start last night, moving Garnett to center. Pietrus finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in nearly 44 minutes.
