Reaching into reserve

CELTICS

WALTHAM -- These are desperate times for the injury-depleted Celtics. Coach Doc Rivers had to enlist the services of director of player development Michael Crotty at practice yesterday.

Wearing a No. 13 practice jersey, Crotty, a former All-America guard at Williams College, took the place of Delonte West, who sat on the sideline with a sore right hip beside Al Jefferson (sprained right ankle) and Kendrick Perkins (dislocated left shoulder). With the way injuries have been piling up, Rivers did not want to take a risk with West. Despite lingering pain in his left knee, Wally Szczerbiak practiced and continued learning the Celtics' system and figuring out his timing with new teammates.

Crotty's days as practice player appear numbered. West and Szczerbiak will start tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers alongside Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz at center, and likely Ryan Gomes at power forward. Jefferson and Perkins hope to return during the Celtics' trip west that begins Feb. 21 at Utah and ends Feb. 26 against the Lakers. Barring more injuries, Boston should be back to full strength by the end of February, just in time to start the toughest month of the season. The Celtics have 16 games in 29 days (eight on the road).

Perkins said his shoulder is sore, though he has no trouble moving his left arm. According to Perkins, the Celtics' medical staff wanted him to rest for fear of dislocating his shoulder again.

Jefferson began lifting weights again and riding a stationary bike yesterday as he attempts to keep his conditioning at a high level. While acknowledging he thought he was going to ''pass out" after 30 minutes on the bike, Jefferson said he is progressing fast with significantly less pain in his right ankle. The team medical staff told Jefferson he could be back in two weeks.

''I think I'll be back sooner," said Jefferson. ''I've just got to get treatment and try to get well quick. My goal is to be playing at the beginning of the West Coast trip or toward the middle of it."

When Jefferson returns, he will have a more extensive tape job on both ankles.

''I think the tape saved me because I learned how to tape from the past incidents," Jefferson said. ''But the tape really isn't going to stop you from turning your ankle, but it will help. It will help a lot. The plan is to tape better, higher, and tighter. The Karl Malone tape job they call it. That's what I've got to do. I refuse to go through that much pain again. I really thought it was broke. When it happened, I thought I was going to be on the surgeon's table."

Clothes line

Gerald Green missed practice because he returned to Fayetteville, N.C., to retrieve some of his clothes. Apparently, he has not heard of UPS. Rivers was not happy about Green's absence. Green went through an individual workout with assistant coaches Tony Brown and Jim Brewer shortly after the team left the court. ''He thought he was going back [to the development league]," said Rivers. ''That's why there was a mix-up." . . . Given the Celtics' injury situation, development league call-up Dwayne Jones could see playing time tonight. ''I'm happy that they brought me up here quicker than I thought," said Jones. ''Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute. Grab rebounds and run, that's basically my job." Added Rivers: ''I told him after practice, 'Don't worry about knowing the offense or the defense, just keep getting the rebounds and we'll be very happy with you.' "