Fansided

Boston Celtics’ fans cheer Doc Rivers, he tears up (photo)

By Andrew Melnick

Dec 9, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers hands the ball to referee Nick Buchert during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Clippers defeated the Sixers 94-83. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers hands the ball to referee Nick Buchert during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Clippers defeated the Sixers 94-83. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers hands the ball to referee Nick Buchert during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Clippers defeated the Sixers 94-83. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers hands the ball to referee Nick Buchert during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Clippers defeated the Sixers 94-83. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

On Wednesday night, Los Angeles Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers made his return to Boston to take on the Celtics.

On Tuesday, Rivers said he wasn’t sure how the fans would react when he entered the T.D. Garden for the game.

“I don’t anticipate [being booed]. I’d be very surprised by it. If it happens, it happens,” Rivers explained.

During Wednesday’s shootaround, Rivers said he expected a “hard night.”

“It’s going to be a hard night,” Rivers said. “I already told my coaches that it’s going to be hard. You don’t spend nine years in one place and win a title, and have the emotions you have toward the cities and the fans, and be normal when the game starts. It’s just not going to happen, at least I don’t think so. I’ve already prepared my coaches to be good coaches tonight because it’s going to be too tough for me.”

Rivers got what he probably wanted. According ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, who is attendance, Rivers received a huge ovation and Goodman said he didn’t hear a single boo.

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