Waltham, Mass. ? Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers popped past Paul Pierce on Friday on his way to the locker room, just to check in on his veteran swingman.

“One hundred percent, right?” he confirmed as Pierce was talking to reporters.

Pierce had no problems during practice and was expected to play without restrictions tonight in Game 3 of Boston’s first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. Pierce, who was body-slammed to the floor in Game 2 on Wednesday, said his back was stiff the next day but fine on Friday.

“I went through a full practice, so there shouldn’t be any complications from the other night,” Pierce said.