Sorry, Celtics: LeBron James will play Friday

LeBron James may feel bad for his former teammates in South Beach as he's doing the Miami Heat a favor on Friday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar will suit up against the Boston Celtics, a decision that could have major implications on the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

"I was never sitting out tonight," James said. "I never had that in my mind."

James has indicated he'd like to get some rest over the season's final four games, but that won't come Friday, thus hurting the Celtics' chances of hanging on to one of the East's final playoff spots. Boston has a one-game lead over the Indiana Pacers and a game-and-a-half lead over the Heat, making every contest down the stretch an essential must-win.

Luckily for the Celtics, it remains possible James could sit out Sunday's rematch between the teams.

The Celtics aren't assured a loss with James playing, though. The four-time MVP could see limited minutes as a means of getting additional rest. It definitely makes things tougher as James' production has been customarily obscene - he's averaging 25.5 points, six rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals, numbers that have been even more efficient since a two-week holiday respite.