Blount back in action

As rehabilitation projects go, this one lasted somewhat shorter than The Big Dig or Richard Nixon. After a one-game benching, Mark Blount was back on the court last night. He played a shade more than 31 minutes and came close to making the game-tying basket in the final 14 seconds.

''I thought he played hard," said coach Doc Rivers, who got 6 points and 6 rebounds from Blount. Unfortunately for the Celtics, a late Blount attempt was rejected by Dwight Howard (sort of), and Boston dropped an 87-83 decision to the Orlando Magic.

Rivers had said before the game that Blount was likely to play. But he wouldn't be more specific. With 3:10 left in the first quarter, Blount was summoned to replace starter Kendrick Perkins, who played only 15 minutes.

The Rivers-Blount contretemps hasn't gone unnoticed by the other players, one of whom, Paul Pierce, had his own issues with the coach last season.

''People have got to understand it's a long season and all relationships aren't going to be perfect," Pierce said. ''[It's like the] situation with me and Doc, how we were up and down at times. But, basically, things will work out. I don't look at it the same as you people look at it. I think it's pretty much overblown. Right now it's a cold war, that's all."

Rivers said he had no intention of seeking a meeting with Blount and felt he did not owe an explanation as to why he benched his starting center, a player who had started the first 11 games. And why not, Doc?

''Because I am the coach," said Rivers. ''I can do whatever I want to do."

Rivers did say that his problems with Blount go beyond playing; that was an issue last year as well. But he also said he was certain that Blount would be of use again. Remember, this is from the guy who benched an unproductive Blount for the final three playoff games against Indiana.

''Mark is a guy who comes back," Rivers said. ''If it was somebody I thought I had lost, then I'd be concerned. But I think he'll be back. I have no doubt. He will help this team."

As for the potential game-tying shot, Blount got an excellent feed from Dan Dickau and turned to make a short jump hook. But the ball squirted out of his hand and Howard was there to make sure it didn't squirt anywhere near the basket.

''He kind of lost control of it," Howard said. ''But I was still there trying to block it. That counts, doesn't it?"

It does.

Allen gets the OK

More than two months after his right knee surgery, Tony Allen says he's been cleared for practice and plans to be on court today, setting picks and throwing elbows with the rest of the fellows. ''I'm looking forward to it," Allen said. ''The doctors say I'm good to go. I know I'm going to have some swelling and pain, but they've told me I'm not going to reinjure it. I can handle it with ice and massage." Allen underwent surgery Sept. 14. His knee isn't his only problem right now. He also has been indicted for his role in a melee in Chicago in late August that resulted in one man getting shot and another getting punched in the face. He has maintained his innocence throughout. Allen also faces a civil suit for the brawl . . . Al Jefferson took a scary fall in the first quarter -- and an even scarier head-to-head collision with Howard. Jefferson briefly lost consciousness and was found to have a mild concussion, though he returned to action in the second half. ''I blanked out for a couple seconds," Jefferson said. ''I remember him falling on me and then waking up, being kind of bleary-eyed, and people asking me what can I see. How many fingers? I guess I passed [the tests] because I came back out." Jefferson had 5 big points in a Celtics mini-run at the end of the third quarter. Overall, he finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds in 12 1/2 minutes.

West returns

Delonte West was back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a left hip bruise. As a result, Gerald Green went back to the inactive list. West went 32 minutes and played the last 4-plus minutes with Dickau in a small lineup . . . Raef LaFrentz had a night for the circular file: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1-of-10 shooting . . . . . . The Magic's Grant Hill put in a sweat-inducing pregame workout, then watched from the bench in full compliance with David Stern's sartorial wishes. Hill had groin surgery Oct. 31 and was given a three-to-six-week timetable for a return. Given that he's already missed four weeks, the projected return date is now mid-December . . . Rivers said Howard reminds him of future Hall of Famer David Robinson. ''He's lefthanded. He's quick. He's athletic. He's extremely religious," said Rivers. ''They appear to be very much alike to me."