BOSTON -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers indicated before Saturday's game that point guard Rajon Rondo wanted to play against the Raptors, but that the training staff suggested he sit to give a sore left hamstring time to recover, and that it's likely Rondo will return to the starting lineup when the team opens a three-game road trip Wednesday in Miami.

Rivers had said Friday that Rondo was unlikely to play after sitting out that day's practice, this after Rivers spotted the knicked-up Rondo taking some shortcuts in Wednesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns. Once the medical staff suggested a break, Rivers didn't give it further consideration.

"He wanted to play, but I just asked [trainer] Eddie [Lacerte] on that and, when Eddie comes to you and says, 'Rondo's not playing,' then it's easy -- there's no debate or anything," said Rivers. "Eddie told me [Friday] night he didn't think Rondo should play and then this morning he said, 'I know Rondo shouldn't play.' And that's all I needed to hear."