For those seeking the intensity of a Heat-Celtics matchup, the best advice was to dig up a tape from the April 10 game in Miami or perhaps the April 1 game at TD Garden, because neither team was recognizable in Tuesday night’s game.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers trumped Miami coach Erik Spoelstra’s decision to rest the Heat’s Big Three by sitting Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Mickael Pietrus, and Greg Stiemsma to nurse nagging injuries. Ray Allen had been scratched after Monday’s practice.

Rivers said most of those players will return for Thursday’s season finale against the Bucks.

Garnett’s absence was the biggest surprise. He told Rivers that a hip flexor injury that caused him to miss a Feb. 15 loss to the Pistons had flared up. Garnett also was held out of Friday’s 97-92 loss to the Hawks to get some rest.

“Kevin never comes in, and when he comes in to say, ‘I think I need two more days,’ it speaks volumes,’’ said Rivers.

Paul Pierce asked to play Tuesday after being held out of Friday’s game. He told Rivers he wants to get in rhythm for the playoffs. He scored 8 points on 4-of-7 shooting in 18 minutes. He also had six turnovers. Ryan Hollins and Sasha Pavlovic joined Pierce, Brandon Bass, and Avery Bradley in the starting lineup.

Rondo, who has not played since landing on his back going for a rebound April 17, is expecting to play Thursday, Rivers said. Rondo participated in Tuesday’s shootaround.

Stiemsma, who has a bone bruise in his right foot and plantar fasciitis in his left, is improving, and Rivers wanted to give his rookie center another day off. Stiemsma has not been able to practice or participate in shootarounds for weeks.

Allen won’t play Thursday either, putting his status for the playoffs in question. An MRI revealed bone spurs in his right ankle. He underwent surgery five years ago to remove bone spurs from both ankles, causing him to miss the final 16 games of the 2006-07 season.