CELTICS PREPARED TO BE WITHOUT O'NEAL

By: Paul Flannery

Jermaine O'Neal will miss his sixth straight game on Tuesday and while the Celtics wait for him to make a decision on his ailing wrist, they are planning on moving forward without him.

"Obviously it doesn't look good, but we're prepared to be this, honestly," coach Doc Rivers said. "If J.O. plays, it's an extra body for us. But it's like I said, after the break, we were going with this lineup, regardless."

The lineup includes Kevin Garnett at center and Brandon Bass at forward and it has been good for the Celtics, who have won four straight since the All-Star break. Rivers said the team is giving O'Neal time to consider having surgery, which could be season-ending.

"You know how I am with injuries and stuff. That stuff works its way out," Rivers said. "They don't need the coach involved in it. That's just the way I feel."

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