BOSTON (AP) - Celtics All-Star forward Paul Pierce says his injured right knee feels better, and he expects to play Sunday in Game 2 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Pierce, who sprained his knee in the second half of Game 1 on Thursday night, doesn't plan to practice Saturday and will continue to ice the injury and get electrical stimulus treatments.

Although the swelling is down, Pierce says there's still some stiffness, and he can't bend the knee as he would like.

Even so, Pierce expects to be on the floor when the Celtics try to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins also says he plans to play, despite a sprained left ankle.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.