Boston coach Doc Rivers gives Paul Pierce the night off against the Charlotte Bobcats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Boston coach Doc Rivers says he plans to rest Paul Pierce when the Celtics face the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.

The decision to sit the 35-year-old Pierce comes with Boston preparing for its ninth road game in the last 11 games.

Jeff Green gets the start against the NBA-worst Bobcats (13-50).

Rivers says he pondered sitting Pierce, Garnett or Jason Terry while on the flight to Charlotte from Oklahoma City. He chose Pierce.

Rivers laughed when he said "I don't get a lot of kickback right now when I say I'm sitting one of them."