(My Sportsbook) - The defending NBA champion Boston Celtics have been slapped with a reality check leading up to their first-round playoff series against the old rival Chicago Bulls.

Both hits came on the same day as the Celtics learned Thursday that they will most likely be without All-Star center and leader Kevin Garnett because of his nagging right knee injury. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers told a Boston sports radio station that 'there's no way he can play' after watching him run, but left open the possibility of a return if the Celtics advance in the playoffs.

Garnett will continue to get treatment on the knee to try and alleviate swelling and stiffness. Garnett, who averaged 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season, hasn't played since March 25 at Orlando. He has competed in just four games since February 19. Leon Powe will most likely get the nod if Garnett is unable to play and made his second appearance since missing 13 games with a strained right knee in a win over Washington on Wednesday. Powe ended with 18 points and 13 rebounds to prove he is ready.

One figure in the Celtics' front office who won't be ready for the postseason is president and general manager Danny Ainge, who suffered a mild heart attack Thursday and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital. In a statement released by the team, Ainge is resting comfortably and is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days. Ainge pulled the strings on a big trade a few years ago that landed Garnett and helped Boston to its 17th championship in franchise history.

The Celtics won the Atlantic Division for the second straight year with a 62-20 record and are in the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years. Even though they may be hampered without Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are fine and ready for a run at a repeat.

Chicago is back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus under first-year head coach Vinny Del Negro. It had a chance to capture the sixth seed on the final day of the regular season, but a loss to Toronto coupled with a win by Philadelphia set up a showdown with the second-seeded Celtics.

The six-time NBA champion Bulls are not a flashy team and will be led by rookie Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon and John Salmons, who has turned heads with his recent play since being acquired in a trade from Sacramento. Salmons should be grateful that he is in Chicago since the Kings are headed nowhere any time soon. Salmons averaged 18.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 26 games with the Bulls.

Del Negro knows he will have his hands full against the defending champion Celtics, and is also aware that his players aren't too shabby either. The rookie Rose had an impressive first campaign and led the Bulls in assists (6.3) and field-goal percentage (47.5), while scoring 16.8 points per outing. Gordon led the way in points (20.7), free-throw percentage (86.4) and three- pointers (41.0).

Chicago has reached the postseason for the fourth time in five years and was eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in six games in the conference semifinals in the 2006-07 playoffs.

The Celtics went 2-1 against the Bulls in the regular season and have won six of the past seven matchups in the series.

POINT GUARD

Rose is coming off an impressive rookie season in which he ended atop or near the top among first-year players. Rose was second in scoring (16.8 ppg), first in assists (6.3 apg), second in minutes (37.0 mpg), fourth in shooting (.475), seventh in free-throw shooting (.788) and eighth in steals (0.81 spg). He will get his first taste of the playoffs this weekend and has a chance to add even more greatness to his name. However, he has a tough bout against Boston point guard Rajon Rondo.

Rondo led the Celtics in assists (8.2) and steals (1.9), while scoring 11.9 points and grabbing 5.2 rebounds per contest. The durable guard is in his third season with Boston and gets everyone involved on the floor. He will miss not having Garnett in the lineup if the veteran forward remains sidelined. In 26 playoff games a year ago, Rondo helped win a title by averaging 10.2 points, 6.6 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.

EDGE: CELTICS

SHOOTING GUARD

Boston has one of the purest shooters to ever play the game in Allen. The veteran guard has thrived with Boston and averaged 18.2 points per game this season. He knocked 48.0 percent of his shots this season, including a 41.0 clip from three-point range. The sweet-stroking Allen, who was suspended one game without pay for elbowing Cleveland forward Anderson Varejao in the groin. He served the suspension against the Sixers on April 14, then rested for the regular season finale on Wednesday. In 26 playoff games a year ago, Allen averaged 15.6 points per game. He has posted 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 63 career postseason contests.

Gordon is also a dangerous shooter and keep up with the best when he's feeling a rhythm. Gordon, who used to come off the bench, was relied on heavily by Del Negro to mold Rose and pass on his leadership skills. Gordon will have to keep up with the Celtics on defense too and limit turnovers on the offensive end. He works well with Rose, but facing the Celtics in the playoffs is a totally different ball game. Gordon has appeared in 22 career playoff games and is averaging 19.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.8 boards. Gordon has made almost 40 percent (.390) of his three-pointers in the playoffs.

EDGE: CELTICS

CENTER

Even though Bulls young center Joakim Noah has no prior playoff experience at the NBA level, Chicago has the advantage in this matchup with Boston's Kendrick Perkins. Noah is coming off a solid campaign in his second year in the pros and finished the season with career-highs in points (6.7 ppg), rebounds (7.6 rpg), assists (1.3 apg), blocks (1.38), field goal percentage (.556) and minutes played (24.2 mpg). The former NCAA champion will use his 6-11 frame to stifle any plans Boston has at trying to penetrate the hoop. Noah is riding the momentum of his much-improved game and will play a key role inside along with teammate Tyrus Thomas.

Perkins had a decent 2008-09 campaign by averaging 8.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. The durable Perkins finished the regular season strong and will be relied on more with Garnett still nursing a bad right knee. Perkins will get help from other spots, but needs to set the rules inside with Noah from the opening tip. The 6-10 former first-round pick posted 6.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in last year's playoffs (22 games). In 31 career postseason games, with 25 starts, Perkins is averaging 5.6 points, 5.1 boards and 1.3 swats.

EDGE: BULLS

SMALL FORWARD

It's hard not to give Boston the advantage at small forward when Pierce is on that list. Pierce was named the 2008 NBA Finals MVP for averaging 21.8 points and 6.3 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers. Nicknamed the Truth, Pierce did not play in Wednesday's season finale against Washington to rest and will cause problems throughout the entire series with Chicago. He averaged 20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season, and has played at least 80 games in consecutive seasons. He has recorded 22.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists over 63 career postseason appearances.

Salmons has been a pleasant surprise for the Bulls and will try to stay on track in this improbable playoff run. Salmons is a big player who has both driving and shooting skills, and is also a strong defender. The Miami-Florida product is currently battling a groin injury, but should be healthy enough to give the Bulls all he has. In eight playoff games with Philadelphia, Salmons was used sparingly and played a total of 20 minutes, recording three rebounds and one assist.

EDGE: CELTICS

POWER FORWARD

If Garnett was healthy and ready to make another run at the title, Boston would have full advantage down low. But since he may miss the opening round of the playoffs and then some, Bulls power forward Tyrus Thomas is expected to carry much of the bulk inside. Thomas posted 10.8 points and 6.4 boards this season, both career highs, and has appeared in at least 72 games in each of his first three years in the league. Thomas played in 10 postseason games in 2006-07 and recorded just 5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per outing. He is poised to make a lasting impression this time around against a formidable foe.

Powe has some big shoes to fill and is at full strength following a knee injury. The 6-8, 240-pound Powe, who will wear a brace on the knee, played a big role in Boston's championship run last season and posted 5.0 points and 2.7 boards in 23 playoff games, one of which was a start. He plays with a lot of energy and will share time with Glen Davis and Mikki Moore.

EDGE: BULLS

BENCH

Del Negro has some solid options off the bench for this series with guard Kirk Hinrich and big men Brad Miller, Tim Thomas and Linton Johnson. Miller has played in 38 career playoff games, averaging 9.9 points and 6.2 rebounds, while Hinrich owns 16.9 points and 7.1 assists per game in 22 lifetime postseason appearances.

Davis had a decent second year in the pros, recording 7.0 points and 4.0 boards in 76 contests. The 6-9, 289-pound specimen could see action in the starting lineup if Powe experiences problems with his knee. 'Big Baby' Davis played in 17 playoff games during Boston's championship run and recorded 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds. Eddie House and Moore will also be at Rivers' disposal.

EDGE: EVEN

PREDICTION

The Celtics are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back NBA championships since the Los Angeles Lakers won three in a row from 1999 to 2002, and will probably have to do it without Garnett. It seems Garnett's ailing right knee will cause significant problems to Boston's Big Three, leaving the bulk of the load on the shoulders of Pierce and Allen. There is no doubt the Celtics will be playing for Ainge as he recovers from a mild heart attack, but must be aware of the Bulls. Chicago doesn't possess quite the stardom its counterpart has, but rookie Rose, Gordon and Salmons are expected to make this series interesting. Chicago will try to take advantage inside with Garnett in street clothes with Noah and Thomas. It may work at first until the Celtics pull away to win the series in six games or less.

CELTICS IN SIX