Practice run slows Allen

WALTHAM -- Whether Tony Allen takes the floor tonight against the Chicago Bulls at the TD Banknorth Garden will be a game-time decision. After a second team workout yesterday, Allen sounded less comfortable about making a quick return and less confident about his surgically repaired right knee.

During practice, teammates challenged Allen at every turn, going right after the second-year shooting guard and testing him physically and mentally. The workout clearly took a toll on Allen, who said his playing status was up to coach Doc Rivers.

''I'd say I'm ready to get some games under my belt, but it's really Coach's decision," he said. ''[My knee] feels all right. It wasn't as painful as it was [Wednesday]. After [yesterday's] practice, I'm kind of thinking I need some more practices under my belt, but I can give it a go. My whole thing is I don't want to be detrimental to the team, defensive lapses, stuff like that, and have excuses to say it was my knee. I don't want to do that, but I do really think I need some more practices. But I can go [tonight] if needed."

Allen said the new rules governing placement on the inactive list made him more inclined to try to play tonight. If he isn't ready after one game, the Celtics can deactivate him for another contest or two. Still, Rivers said Allen will accompany the Celtics on their upcoming five-game road trip with stops in New York, Houston, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Dallas. Boston has no plans to send Allen to the development league affiliate in Florida.

''He got lit up [yesterday] in practice," Rivers said. ''Everybody lit him up, which was good. We even made a point of it. Attack Tony. Attack Tony. It was sarcastic, but I meant it because if he's coming back [today] they're going to attack his butt. Unfortunately, everybody kept making shots. So, they were laughing. And Tony is so competitive that he didn't think it was very funny. But I think he also is concerned with his legs, like he should be. We'll go hard [today]; if he can go, we'll see. If he can't go, he can't go. I'm not going to push him."

Let's get physical

With the Bulls in town tonight and Kendrick Perkins coming off the best game of his career, it brings to mind another recent Chicago-Boston matchup. On Jan. 29, Perkins was ejected late in the third quarter after being charged with two technicals and one flagrant foul for physical encounters with Tyson Chandler and former Bull Eddy Curry. The brief, but strong-willed performance energized the Celtics and inspired them to a 13-point comeback. It was the first glimpse of what physical play by Perkins could mean for Boston.

Since then, Perkins has worked to stay physical and stay on the court. Perkins was proud of the fact he played almost 28 minutes before fouling out against Philadelphia Wednesday night.

''[My fouls] are a lot better than they were," Perkins said. ''A couple games last year, I fouled out and I only played like 12 minutes. It's improving, but I'm still working on trying to get it better. I thought I got away with a couple shoves to get offensive rebounds. I was surprised I got away with them. So, the fouls they did call on me I really couldn't complain about, I just had to take them."

Perkins also noted the more familiar he becomes with the opposition, the better he'll besome at avoiding fouls. He said he doesn't believe his game-face scowl has anything to do with picking up fouls.

''I can't help the way I look," he said. ''I'm not really trying to frown or make mean faces. That's just me. I'm serious about what I'm doing. I'm a good guy off the court."

Rivers has told Perkins to be himself on the court and the rest will take care of itself.

''I don't want to get into this and that with him, but with Perk just playing and staying within himself is what's going to keep him consistent," said Rivers.

''You've just got to let him play through his mistakes. When I think he's getting outside of his role, that's when you make changes. When he stays with who he is and what we need him to do and he does it well, Perk will be out there for a long time."

Blount, Rivers talk

Whether the air between Mark Blount and Rivers has been cleared remains uncertain. Blount avoids the question, while Rivers maintains there was never air to clear. But Rivers did clarify one thing: He has talked at length with Blount. Rivers would not divulge the contents of the conversation that took place before the Orlando game on Monday. The coach probably discussed what he expected from Blount, what would earn him playing time, and why he benched the starting center against Charlotte and demoted him. It is also unclear who initiated the conversation, though it came two days after Rivers said Blount would have to make the first move.

''He had seven rebounds [against Philadelphia] and that's what we need him to do every night," Rivers said of the 7-footer. ''I don't think there's anything wrong with competition. I don't know if that [Perkins starting] is pushing Mark. But I know it would have pushed me. We've had a conversation. I just didn't think I needed to share it. I think it should stay in-house." . . . Rivers gave rookie Ryan Gomes a pep talk after practice after he recorded a DNP-coach's decision against Philadelphia. Gomes could take Allen's place on the inactive list.