Problem: Perk’s Knee Flares Up At Practice (Update: Barnes Hurting, Too)

Posted by Zach Lowe on May 15, 2010 814512 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F05%2F15%2Fproblem-perks-knee-flares-up-at-practice%2FProblem%3A+Perk%27s+Knee+Flares+Up+At+Practice+%28Update%3A+Barnes+Hurting%2C+Too%292010-05-15+18%3A04%3A59Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D8145

According to ESPNBoston’s Chris Forsberg, Perk sat out the second half of practice today after his knee, which he hyper-extended early in the Cavs series, began giving him problems. 

Forsberg Tweets the following quote from Doc:

“His knee is bothering him. He tried to go early but it started bothering him a lot. He wanted to go, but I told him, ‘Look, I don’t need you tonight, you’re not going to help me today in practice. I need you tomorrow.’ So I shut him down.”

Geez. Has a Celtic player in the KG era ever willingly accepted a practice or game off? 

Obviously, this is potentially huge news. Perk’s ability to defend Howard at least adequately without a double-team has been crucial in limiting Orlando’s offense. 

And “adequately” is the right word for it, because Howard has still been productive against Boston.

Over the last three seasons, Howard has averaged 16.4 points per game on 54 percent shooting against Boston, according to this must-read preview from NBA.com’s John Schuhmann. Those are very solid numbers, but they are down from Howard’s overall averages over that span (19.9 points per game on 60 percent shooting). Still: It’s not like Perk is shutting down Howard. 

But Schuhmann points out that the importance of Perk’s defense against Dwight goes far beyond Dwight’s individual numbers. Because of Perk’s strength and skill, Boston has to help on Howard far less than almost any other team in the NBA. As a result, the rest of Orlando’s players don’t get as many open looks. Here’s Schuhmann: 

The Celtics don’t like to double-team in the post (and they don’t have to most of the time), which allows their perimeter defenders to stay at home. In 18 games against the Celtics over the last three years, the Magic have shot just 43 percent overall and just 34 percent from 3-point range, as opposed to 47 percent and 38 percent against other teams.

And:

And that Celtics defense likes to keep you from moving the ball. The Magic averaged a measly 12.8 assists in their four games against Boston this season, registering just seven on Christmas and eight on Jan. 28.

Perk: Rest up and get ready. The team needs you, badly.

Update, via the Orlando Sentinel: Matt Barnes, who will likely be guarding Ray Allen initially in a much-discussed adjustment, sat out the Magic’s Saturday practice with back spasms. 

Here’s Barnes:

“I’m just getting a lot of treatment,” Barnes said. “I should be playing tomorrow. If I’m on the court my back won’t be an issue. If I’m out there, I should be fine.”

Meanwhile, Stan Van Gundy won’t publicly commit to the Allen/Barnes and Carter/Pierce match-ups; remember, it was Barnes and not SVG who said the team had made that call. 

Here’s the Sentinel today:

Barnes, Orlando’s starting small forward, said yesterday he will be guarding Boston’s Ray Allen to start Sunday’s game. During the regular season, Barnes began games on Paul Pierce with Vince Carter on Allen.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he wasn’t sure what exactly Barnes’ assignment would be on Sunday, but that he expects Barnes to play, as well.