Boston's Pierce starts against Pacers

Nov 15, 2009 - 12:15 AM INDIANAPOLIS(AP) -- Boston forward Paul Pierce appeared to have no lingering effects from a bruised left knee and was in the starting lineup Saturday against Indiana.

"He's fine," coach Doc Rivers said before the game. "Even by last night, he said he felt pretty good, and this morning he said he felt great. I told him, 'If I see anything, you're not playing or I'm taking you out."'

Pierce, who's averaging a team-high 18.7 points, was not available before the game. He bruised his knee on a drive to the basket in Friday's loss to Atlanta and sat out the final few minutes of the third quarter. When he returned in the fourth, he was wearing a brace and had it taped.

Boston center Kendrick Perkins said Pierce appeared fine during pregame activities Saturday.

"He looked pretty healthy to me," Perkins said. "I saw him icing a lot throughout the day. He says he's ready to roll and I believe him.

"You know, Pierce is a warrior. He don't miss very many games to injury. He's not one of those guys that just has a sore quad and decides to sit out or something crazy. He's a warrior and he leads by example."