Celtics’ Garnett doesn’t practice

By Brian Windhorst

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND

The Cavaliers and Celtics are even in their playoff series and, it was learned Wednesday, are about even in battle scars.

This week’s three-day hiatus is proving to be recovery time for LeBron James, who continues to battle elbow soreness, and Anderson Varejao, who is day-to-day with back spasms. But the Celtics revealed that they have their own issues when starters Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins were held out of practice on Wednesday.

Garnett’s issue seems to be the more severe as Celtics coach Doc Rivers said that Garnett suffered a right mid-foot strain in the fourth quarter of the Celtics” Game 2 victory on Monday.

“Kevin hurt his ankle pretty good,” Rivers said. “Honestly, if we had a game [Wednesday], I don’t think he could have played. We’ll just have to wait, but I doubt he’ll practice tomorrow.”

Garnett was said to be upset with the decision to be held out on practice and the Celtics believe with some more rest that he should be able to start as normal in Friday’s Game 3 when the series resumes in Boston.

Perkins was rested because of a hyperextended right knee, which he actually suffered Monday morning during the Celtics shootaround.

He played through it during Game 2 and didn’t look to be bothered, scoring 10 points with nine rebounds and holding Shaquille O’Neal to 4-of-10 shooting. Rivers said he thought Perkins might be able to practice today.

“I’m going to play [in Game 3],” Perkins said. “I’m glad we have a few days rest.”

The Cavs took Wednesday off but James was scheduled to get a follow up MRI on his elbow. An MRI that James got last week that showed a strained tendon and a bone bruise in his elbow.

It was also announced on Wednesday that James was voted to the NBA’s First Team All-Defense. James was on the first team on 20 of the 30 ballots, which are submitted by the league’s assistant coaches.

For the first time, Varejao was honored for his defense and was named to the Second Team, getting two first-team votes.

Cavs coach Mike Brown campaigned for Varejao to get defensive recognition throughout the season.

And, after facing a little controversy when video of him throwing a towel in the air in an effort to distract J.J. Hickson during Game 3 was spread Tuesday, Celtics president Danny Ainge gave a quasi-apology.

A league spokesman said Ainge’s actions are “under review” and he could face a fine or at least a reprimand. In an interview with the Boston Herald, Ainge said he was sorry — to his team.

“What I’m most regretful about is that our team is playing well and people are talking about a towel being thrown,” Ainge said. “I shouldn’t draw attention away from our team like that, it was unprofessional. It’s not something I’ll lose a lot of sleep over.”