Better late than never, they say.
After needing almost two weeks to recover from a bruised right knee that's kept him out of action the last five games, Shaquille O'Neal is finally ready to return. The Celtics' 38-year-old center was able to practice with the team Wednesday afternoon and told ESPN.com the following morning that he plans to play against Miami on Thursday night.
The Celtics will need him. Shaq was a big factor in their first meeting with the Heat, giving them nine points and seven rebounds despite limited minutes. He poses serious matchup problems for the Heat, whose front line of Chris Bosh and Joel Anthony is a little undersized and a little weak defensively against the Celtics' 325-pound behemoth.
The usual suspects will fill out the rest of the Celtics' rotation Thursday. Jermaine O'Neal appears unlikely to play, as he's still hampered by the sore knee that kept him out for most of the C's loss Monday night in Dallas.
Here's how it all shakes out for the showdown in South Beach:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Shaquille O'Neal, C
Heat
Joel Anthony, C
Chris Bosh, PF
LeBron James, SF
Dwyane Wade, SG
Carlos Arroyo, PG

