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The Boston Celtics (41-39, 14-26 away) visit the Toronto Raptors (33-48, 20-20 home) to wrap up the 2012-13 regular season on Wednesday night (8 p.m., CSN). Here's what to watch for:

* BACK TO BASKETBALL: The NBA cancelled Tuesday's Celtics-Pacers matchup at TD Garden in the aftermath of Monday's tragic events at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. After a bit of a somber practice Tuesday, the Celtics get back on the floor in Toronto. Boston players talked about potentially being a bit of a diversion from Monday's bombings, hoping sports can bring some joy back to a region left rattled by the Marathon tragedy. It will be interesting to see how the Celtics respond after the incident in their own backyard and whether it gives them any sort of jolt considering what they represent as a Boston team.

* LINEUP BALANCE: Celtics coach Doc Rivers had previously planned to run most of his starters on Tuesday night, then rest them in Toronto. That plan has likely been altered a bit and it will be interesting to see if Boston elects to play some of its starters early, then let the bench carry the load later. The Celtics open the playoffs this weekend in New York and, after three days off, must balance getting their players some final on-court action (otherwise they'd be on as much as a full week of rest) with not risking health at this point of the regular season.

* LET THE KIDS PLAY: River said earlier this week that Boston's playoff rotation is set and that no one is really auditioning for spots tonight. "No, we pretty much know [the rotation]," said Rivers. "There are teams that we’ve had where there are nine guys and they separated themselves and that’s your rotation... That’s not this team. Use whatever rotation your guys want, but by Game 3 [of the playoffs], I can guarantee you right now, it won’t be the same rotation. Unfortunately or fortunately, I’ll let you know in a month or so which one is better, but I guess from a coaching standpoint, you’d rather know your nine guys and know that’s how it’s always going to be. But I don’t think that’s this team at all. I think there will be guys that will play. And a couple guys struggling, you throw in someone else, and you won’t hesitate to do that with this group." With that in mind, the Celtics ought to lean heavy on some players that might need a final confidence jolt. Players like Courtney Lee, Jordan Crawford, and Chris Wilcox have all taken advantage of extended playing time in recent games.

* PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FOLLOWS: The Celtics will get a little more clarity on their first-round schedule after tonight's game. The team planned to stay over in Toronto after the game, will have an offday Thursday, and practice in New York on Friday. With Madison Square Garden booked Sunday for the New York Rangers, the Celtics are likely to play Game 1 on Saturday, but the rest of the schedule will be unveiled after all regular-season action is completed on Wednesday.

ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg phoned into SVP & Russillo to discuss the emotions of the Celtics in the wake of Monday's Marathon tragedy and said the best qualities of the city have emerged.

Hop HERE to listen to the podcast.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics president Rich Gotham said the team and NBA were on the same page regarding the cancellation of Tuesday's Celtics-Pacers game and that all parties agreed that it wasn't the right time to get back on the court.

"Obviously, after seeing the events [Monday], I think everyone across Boston, New England, shares the same feelings about what a terrible day it was, what a terrible tragedy," said Gotham. "And even a day later, the notion of playing a basketball game in these circumstances just didn't feel right to us. [Monday] after learning about it, within an hour, we picked up the phone and called the NBA, just to get their opinion and get their feelings on whether or not we should go ahead with this game and the mutual feeling was that it would be OK to cancel this game, that some things are bigger than basketball.

"Out of respect to all the people who were affected by this, the families, we felt like it was just not the circumstances we wanted to play under, and felt it would be the best way for us, as an organization, to show our respects to all the people who were impacted by this, so that's the decision we came to, along with the NBA."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers thought it was the right move.

"I didn’t want to play the game. We made that clear -- Rich and Wyc [Grousbeck] and our ownership, they were great," said Rivers. "It wasn’t the right place, it really wasn’t, to be playing a game of basketball [Tuesday]. No one would have been into it. No one wanted to go to it. Honestly, we just wanted to make sure that -- so many people are doing so many things right now, and their focus is there and that’s where it should stay. It shouldn’t be on a basketball game. This has nothing to do with safety, it was more what was right."

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WALTHAM, Mass. -- Those of us who cover the Boston Celtics don't try to hide it: We're downright spoiled at times to have Doc Rivers as a coach. Rivers has a special ability to offer perspective -- often with a humorous tone -- on any subject that us reporters throw at him. But Rivers was especially moving on Tuesday as he discussed the aftermath of Monday's Marathon tragedy before the Celtics' afternoon practice.

Rivers was on his way to his downtown apartment with a plan to go watch the Marathon on Monday when he encountered the hysteria. Hop HERE to read our story as Rivers and Celtics' players reacted to Monday's events.

But here's some leftover thoughts from Rivers:

* On Boston's post-tragedy spirit: "This city has an amazing amount of spirit and I think that showed last night. And today still. Then you’re angry, too. I think that starts now. You really are. When you keep thinking about it. It does make you very angry at what happened. And that’s because you love the city, and love where you’re at. So that bothers you."

* On trying to move on from Monday's events: "I don’t think you should get it out of your mind. I don’t think anyone’s going to get it out of their mind, it will be on your mind. Whether you were in the city or out of the city, you’re a part of Boston. And if you’re part of this city -- or this country for that matter -- it’s something that will be on your mind. And that’s fine. You put things in compartments, and that’ll happen for this hour and a half of practice. But it was a sad day yesterday, and it’s sad today, too. That’s part of life. Life comes into play."

* On family and friends texting him in the aftermath: "I just got a million texts. But again, my phone wasn’t working. On a lighter note, I’m not the best at returning texts, anyways. Last night, my kids laughed, because I actually did. They knew... My daughter [Callie] especially -- now I know who’s going to take care of me -- my daughter, I think she called or texted me like 16 times in a row. But I couldn’t [reply], you could’t get to them. Finally when I did, everything was good. I’m sure that happened throughout the city yesterday."

* On what he saw looking out his window on Monday night: "I don’t want to use the word ‘shock,’ but shock just might be the word. You could see people wandering around, like the park -- a lot of people didn’t have places to go last night. And the park, there was a lot of people, you felt like -- on the Common -- you could feel that -- that they didn’t have anywhere to go. That was where a lot of people went. I had a bird’s eye view of that."

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Each year that his team is in town for Patriots Day, Celtics coach Doc Rivers walks a few blocks from his downtown residence towards the finish line of the Boston Marathon to savor a small slice of Boston's unique holiday.

He never made it there Monday. Exiting the Massachusetts Turnpike at the Prudential Center on his way back from the team's afternoon practice, he stumbled into the hysteria that had enveloped the area after multiple explosions rattled a previously picturesque afternoon.

"I always go down after practice and watch, I've done it every year that we've been in town, because I live literally two blocks from the finish line," said Rivers. "I was on my way actually, I had just gotten out of the tunnel, when the bomb exploded. It's just awful. It takes the joy out of sports -- because that's what sports is supposed to bring is joy. It took all the joy out of the event and out of the day."

The NBA cancelled Boston's game against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at TD Garden, a move that the entire Celtics organization called for in the aftermath of the tragedy. As team president Rich Gotham noted, "Even a day later, the notion of playing a basketball game in these circumstances just didn't feel right to us."

The Celtics hit the practice floor Tuesday -- something Rivers said would be a 1½-hour diversion for his players and staff -- but the events of Monday resonated strongly within the organization, particularly for Rivers and Jeff Green, who live close to the finish line.

"It was sad to hear about what happened yesterday," said Green. "You never think anything like that can happen. For something to happen here, right where I live, right down the street from where I live, and close to home, I mean, it's sad."

Hop HERE to read the full story.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Jeff Green received text message after text message on his way home from practice Monday afternoon, as friends, family, and teammates checked in on his safety. It wasn't until Green arrived home a few minutes later and turned on the news and took in the explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon that he understood why.

"I was on the way home. I got like 10 texts in a row and then when I got home I saw it on the news," Green said before Tuesday's practice. "That's when it really hit home."

Confusion over the initial barrage of texts quickly turned to sadness for Green, when he began to soak in what had happened at the marathon.

"I mean, it was sad to hear about what happened (Monday)," Green said. "I mean, you never think anything like that can happen. For something to happen here, right where I live, right down the street from where I live, and close to home, I mean, it's sad."

Green said it was "absolutely" the right decision for the NBA and the Celtics to cancel Tuesday's game against the Indiana Pacers, stressing the importance of safety in the aftermath of Monday's events.

"Absolutely. I mean, we've got a game (Wednesday)," Green said. "(Tuesday's) game -- everybody's got to be safe. You never know what can happen, so it was only right to do that.

"You never know what can happen. When stuff like that happens, you always think the worst, and I just want to be safe. I want everybody in the city to be safe, and I think that was the right call to cancel the game and we've just got to pray for all of the families that were involved in it and try to do the best we can to help them out."

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WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics forward Shavlik Randolph woke from a mid-afternoon nap on Monday to an influx of missed calls from family members, his safety being their top priority. Randolph was confused at first, unaware of the two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. A glance at the news quickly brought Randolph up to speed.

"I was shocked. I didn't realize it had happened," Randolph said prior to Tuesday's practice. "I had woken up from a nap and I had like 20 missed calls from my family members and they told me what happened. I turned on the news. It was shocking. It was absolutely terrible.

"I had about 20 missed calls from my family members and friends making sure I was OK, and I was like, 'OK from what?' And they were like, 'Turn on the news,' and I turned on the news and it's just one of those days you're going to remember in a bad way. It's so terrible you can't even put it into words."

Randolph, who resides outside of Boston, was safe, but the realization that he nearly went into the city to take in the annual Patriots Day festivities suddenly hit him.

"I mean, it really sets in, because, any one of us could have been driving through that area," Randolph said. "I even thought about going and catching the marathon. I haven't spent a lot of time up in Boston and I know how big of a deal that marathon was, so, it could have been any one of us to be one of the people that got injured or hurt in that, and I'm definitely praying for the people who were affected by that."

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WALTHAM, Mass. -- Underdogs?

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers seemed amused by the suggestion when asked how his seventh-seeded squad views an under-the-radar role as it preps for a first-round matchup with the second-seeded New York Knicks.

"I don't feel any different," Rivers said. "We don't call ourselves the underdog. You guys call us the underdog. We don't feel any different."

Beset by injuries and inconsistent play, the Celtics have staggered their way through a regular season that will see them finish just slightly above .500. (Boston is 41-39 heading into Wednesday's finale in Toronto; Tuesday's home game against Indiana was canceled.)

Rivers is the first to admit this is a team that cannot rely on past success, especially since -- of the players available this postseason -- only Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were part of the 2008 title team. In fact, only a handful of others were with the team during last year's run to the cusp of the NBA Finals.

But underdogs? That suggests Boston is some sort of David to New York's Goliath, that the Celtics have little or no chance to win this fight. And despite all their woes this season, there's not a single player in the Celtics locker room that doesn't believe they should win this series.

Hop HERE to read the full story.

The NBA canceled Tuesday's game between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. Here's the release from the league:

The National Basketball Association game scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 between the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden has been canceled. The game will not be rescheduled. The NBA expresses its sympathy to all those affected by the tragedy in Boston earlier today.

Both teams will finish the season with 81 games played. The Eastern Conference playoff seedings are not affected by the cancellation.

The Celtics also released a statement on the cancellation of Tuesday's game:

Out of respect to all those who have been impacted by the tragic events today in Boston, including members of the extended Celtics family, the Boston Celtics and the NBA have decided to cancel the game scheduled for Tuesday April 16 between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers.

The game will not be rescheduled. Instructions for any fans holding tickets to the game will be provided on Celtics.com after 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Our sincere sympathies go out to all those affected by this senseless tragedy. The entire Celtics organization would like to acknowledge the heroic efforts of the brave civilian, police, fire and medical personnel responding today in the City of Boston.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Celtics forward Kevin Garnett has expressed confidence in his team all season, but knows Boston will be in for a battle when it meets the New York Knicks in the opening round of the playoffs this weekend.

"(Carmelo Anthony's) playing unbelievable. I think their whole team is playing connected and they're going to be the task at hand, they're going to be, obviously, something to reckon with," Garnett said before Monday's practice. "We've got our work cut out for us."

Garnett later added: "You know Melo's going to get the majority of the shots. He's going to, obviously, lead their team and will their team. Other guys are going to follow suit. J.R. (Smith's) going to be very aggressive, as will every person who steps on the court. They're a very good shooting team, so, like I said, we've just got to be ready."

While Anthony likely rests at the top of the checklist of problems the Knicks present for Boston, New York's willingness to shoot 3-pointers can't be far behind. In the four regular season meetings between the two clubs, New York put up 115 3-pointers (28.7 per game). If the Knicks are knocking down shots from distance, Garnett knows the C's could be in for some long nights.

"We've definitely got to take the 3s away, slow them in transition, they love to run, at home and on the road," Garnett said. "So we've just got to be connected and obviously know what our game plan is, know it, like, in our sleep, and come out and execute it."

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WALTHAM, Mass. -- With Boston's postseason fate sealed, most Celtics players -- particularly the veterans -- are willing to accept some late-season rest in order to be in as best of health as possible when the playoffs open this weekend in New York.

But despite Jeff Green's own bumps and bruises -- this weekend's back-to-back in Miami and Orlando saw him endure a nasty charley horse and a hard landing on his (not-so) funny bone that left his left arm numb -- the Celtics forward said it would mean a lot for him to play Boston's entire 82-game schedule.

Considering how his entire 2011-12 season was wiped out by heart surgery, it's not hard to understand the significance.

"Yes, I’m playing all 82 games," said Green. "That’s my goal."

Later he added, "For me, it’s big -- missing a year, coming off of heart surgery. For me it’s big to come back, play a full year, play every game in the playoffs and to contribute the way I’ve been in the second half of the season. I just want to continue to make progress and finish the season strong."

Green is one of only two Celtics players to appear in all 80 games thus far (Brandon Bass the other). Celtics coach Doc Rivers had hinted previously that he'd like to get Green some late-season rest, but the player might fight it.

"If he mentions it to me about rest, I’m going to shake my head and tell him, 'No,'" said Green. "I don’t know how much power I have or how much say-so I have in that department. But now, my mindset is to finish these last two games off and then go into the playoffs on a good note."

Rivers said that he was going to check the language in Green's contract, joking that there must be an incentive clause for playing the full season. "Maybe we can make a deal," quipped Rivers.

Turning more serious, Rivers suggested he'd be OK with letting Green play, but "I just won't let him play a lot."

Green was the center of attention on Monday with his impending matchup with Carmelo Anthony, and said he savors the opportunity to try to slow one of the league's elite scorers.

"It’s good competition, man," said Green. "[Both players] being from the Maryland area, him being who he is and me trying to become on his level, it’s great competition. I love it. That’s why I love basketball: The competition. The fact that you get to go against superstars like that. That’s how you make a name for yourself. I’ll be prepared."

WALTHAM, Mass. -- With the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks locked in for the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, it's no surprise that all the chatter at Monday's practice session centered on the series.

That didn't stop Celtics coach Doc Rivers from playfully scolding reporters by declaring, "We’re playing Indiana tomorrow!" when the first question was asked about the Knicks. But Rivers didn't shy away from talk about the matchup -- even if he threw in a subtle jab about the Knicks winning the Atlantic Division this season.

"No, it’ll be a fun series. Obviously, they earned winning the Central -- or whatever division we are in," said Rivers, who has noted in the past how the Celtics don't hang division title banners up among their 17 championship ones. "Listen, [the Knicks] had a hell of a year, you talk about Carmelo [Anthony] and all that, but they’ve had a lot of injuries, too, that people don’t talk about. I think [coach Mike Woodson has] done an amazing job. You know going in they are well coached and they have some great players."

Asked about the challenges facing a team like New York, Rivers honed in on one in particular.

"Carmelo," he said. "He’s their best player. But they have a lot of good players. And they have veterans, which is rare that we go into a series where a team is older than us and has more veterans, but they do, and that always plays well in the playoffs. They are going to be a very, very difficult opponent."

As for those other two games remaining on the schedule? Rivers noted, "I'm going to play guys [Tuesday vs. Indiana] and then play some guys the next day [in Toronto]. We really haven't gone over it yet, but we’re going to move things around for sure."

Asked if these final two games amount to exhibitions, Rivers added: "No, guys still want to play. They want to get in -- and stay in -- rhythm. Some guys need some minutes, so they want to do that."

* PIERCE (ILLNESS) SITS OUT: Celtics captain Paul Pierce is battling a stomach bug and was told to stay home from practice on Monday. He's still expected to play during Tuesday's visit from the Pacers. Rivers might joke that he's got a touch of the veteran's flu (it typically passes quickly after practice days).

* TERRY OUT VS. PACERS: Rivers said veteran guard Jason Terry will sit out his second consecutive game on Tuesday and noted the 35-year-old might do the same on Wednesday unless he lobbies for floor time. Is something ailing him? "No, just his legs have been bothering him and so we want to make sure he has no issues going into the playoffs," said Rivers. Terry's attitude about these final two games seems to suggest he'll take the extended rest before the postseason. "Definitely blow past them," said Terry. "It’s like these games, I don’t know what they’re for, but they’re on the schedule. They’ve got to be played. We know who we’re playing in the first round and that’s the more important thing."

* MELO RECALLED FROM MAINE: With the Red Claws eliminated from the opening round of the D-League playoffs, the Celtics formally recalled rookie center Fab Melo on Monday. While he's unlikely to see any playoff action (barring an emergency situation), Melo will get to be around the team for the postseason experience. Melo's final line in Maine: 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and a D-League best 3.1 blocks per game in 33 regular-season appearances. Melo averaged 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two postseason games versus Rio Grande Valley.

With two games left in the regular season, Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce holds a sizable lead on the field in charges drawn this season and is set to wear the team crown this year. Here's a look at Boston's individual leaderboard, based on data logged by Synergy Sports, entering the final week of the regular season:

22 - Paul Pierce
19 - Rajon Rondo
16 - Jeff Green
15 - Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger
10 - Kevin Garnett
7 - Shavlik Randolph, Jason Terry
6 - Chris Wilcox
3 - Courtney Lee
2 - Brandon Bass
1 - Jordan Crawford, Terrence Williams

Rather impressive that Randolph has drawn seven charges in a mere 15 games. That's been a nice boost for a Celtics team that clearly lost much of its charge-taking talent when both Rondo and Sullinger went down.

Chargewatch champs from recent seasons (via Synergy data):

2011-2012: Jermaine O'Neal - 24
2010-2011: Glen Davis - 54
2009-2010: Kendrick Perkins - 42
2008-2009: Kendrick Perkins - 49
2007-2008: Kendrick Perkins - 33

It's been nearly two years, but Carmelo Anthony still remembers. He knows exactly how he felt after the Boston Celtics swept the New York Knicks out of the 2011 playoffs. And he'll use that as motivation this time around against Boston.

"That's in the back of our minds," Anthony said. "We want to beat Boston. I mean, let's be quite frank."

Anthony and the Knicks will be out for revenge this weekend when they face the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. New York set up the matchup with their longtime rivals by beating the Pacers, 90-80, on Sunday afternoon. That win clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference for the Knicks. Boston is the seventh seed. Game 1 of Knicks-Celtics will likely be Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

"We're looking forward to that matchup. We know what type of series it's going to be," Anthony said. "It's going to be a grind out, battle series, tough series, physical series. We're looking forward to that."

Hop HERE to read the full story on ESPN New York.

After dispatching the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the New York Knicks locked up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and will host the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs starting this weekend at Madison Square Garden.

One note from ESPN Stats and Info: Since the NBA playoffs expanded to eight teams per conference in 1983-84, the Celtics have never been a seven seed. Boston, however, has been an eight seed on three different occasions –- losing all three. A quick glance at the Celtics' history as a seventh seed or worse:

2003-04: 8th seed vs. Pacers (Lost, 4-0)
1994-95: 8th seed vs. Magic (Lost, 3-1)
1988-89: 8th seed vs. Pistons (Lost, 3-0)