Celtics coach Doc Rivers intends to play Kevin Garnett in three different 5-minute stretches, in each half.

It didn't work out exactly as Rivers planned, but he was nonetheless pleased with Garnett's play in the Celtics' 76-75 preseason win over Toronto on Sunday.

"I did like the rotations with Kevin," Rivers said. "It wasn't exactly 5-5-5, it was 6 one time. I like it."

The purpose is to get Garnett to deliver the kind of all-out intensity he's used to bringing to the floor, without worrying about whether he has enough left in the tank.

"He knows now, 'go hard for five minutes and we're taking you out,'" Rivers said. "We'll figure it out."