WALTHAM, Mass. -- Celtics coach Doc Rivers has no shortage of pride in his son, New Orleans Hornets guard Austin Rivers.

He admitted before Tuesday's practice that for a father, there's no greater reality than seeing a child reach one of his/her dreams, which is what his son accomplished when he was selected 10th overall by the Hornets in last June's draft. But Wednesday will see a clash in realities, as the younger Rivers' rookie campaign stops in Boston for a showdown with his father on the opposite sideline.

You might assume the elder Rivers would be ecstatic over the scenario, but truthfully, he's conflicted. Torn between being the coach of his own team and the father of one of his team's opponents, Rivers will enter Wednesday's game a bit uncomfortable with the cards lined up the way they are.

Austin Rivers has had some growing pains with the Hornets. A "typical rookie year," says his father, Doc Rivers. Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports

"I'm actually not [looking forward to it]," said Rivers. "I mean, I don't even know what I'm looking forward to. You know, it's not like he's playing a ton anyway, but, you never know. But, as far as him and being out on the floor, that's just a different feeling. I still don't know how to feel about it.

"I've always thought he had a shot of being in the league, but I never thought about coaching against him. You don't ever think about that part. Then when he gets drafted you think, 'Wow, I'm going to go up against my son.' Not literally, I'll be in a suit and tie, so I can't do anything. But, again, it's just something -- I'll be glad when the game's over. I can put it that way."

The younger Rivers has suffered through his fair share of rookie growing pains this season, something his father referred to as having a "typical rookie year." While he has exhibited flashes of the quickness and overall scoring ability that helped him get drafted so high, he has also shown some steady inconsistencies. Over his past five games, Rivers has scored a total of just one point. And in the Hornets' past two contests, he has seen just nine minutes of total floor time.

"He's just up and down," Rivers said of his son. "You can see offensively he's not as aggressive as he should be, as he was. And that's typical rookie year. You can see he's playing in thought. It's almost like our team early in the year where I kept saying, 'We can't be athletic until we stop thinking so much,' and that's where he's at right now. He started out struggling and then he went on a nice run and now he's struggling again. He's having a rookie year."

But Wednesday could see the younger Rivers thrust into a greater light, given the scenario. If he does see more action against the Celtics than he has in recent outings, though, don't expect him to receive any handouts. When asked if anything would come easy for the younger Rivers on Wednesday, his father, Paul Pierce and Jeff Green all had the same response: no way.

"I don't care if he's Doc's kid," Green said before practice Tuesday.

"He going to get mad at me? I mean, he wants us to stop him, right? So I mean, if he comes through the lane, I'm going to hit him. That's how it goes. Welcome to the NBA, kid."

Echoed Pierce: "He was out to get me when he was a high school player, so I'm ready for him."

As for Rivers, the worst punishment he can administer to his son on Wednesday might be unleashing Avery Bradley on him. Which, of course, he's fully prepared to do.

"Oh, absolutely," Rivers said of Bradley seeing time on his son.

"There's no doubt about that."