Lineup may be filling out

The Celtics' days of dressing fewer than 12 players per game may have ended with last night's contest against the Spurs. Both Wally Szczerbiak (sprained ankles, sore left knee) and Brian Scalabrine (sprained right MCL, bruised right meniscus) said they would practice today. If all goes well, they will be back in the lineup against the Hawks tomorrow night.

Both players went through rehab workouts yesterday, and Scalabrine sounded more optimistic about his chances.

"I really haven't shot or touched the basketball since I got hurt," said Scalabrine, who has missed six games.

"Hopefully, if everything feels good, I'll play on Wednesday. It's just when I drag my foot, it hurts. Besides that, everything else is good."

Szczerbiak seemed more cautious; he has already made the mistake of rushing back this season, coming back too early from his second ankle sprain.

"It's the same old same old" said Szczerbiak, who has never been quite right since spraining his left ankle at Toronto Dec. 1; he then sprained his right ankle at Charlotte Dec. 16. "I'll practice, and we're hoping Wednesday."

If Scalabrine and Szczerbiak return, the only player the Celtics will be waiting on is Paul Pierce. (Theo Ratliff and Tony Allen are out for the season.)

Pierce is scheduled to have another set of X-rays on his left foot tomorrow to determine if he can go beyond riding a stationary bike and lifting weights in his rehab routine.

He watched last night's game from the bench and was spotted without the protective boot on his left foot, which could be a sign of progress.

It seems kind to call the Celtics' 18-game skid against the Spurs simply a losing streak. For the past decade, San Antonio has utterly dominated Boston, last losing to the Green in a road game on Jan. 8, 1997. Asked if he found the streak mind-boggling, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, "No, I don't think about it. I think it's a matter or circumstance as much as anything. That could change at any point." Asked if he worried about his players letting up because of the streak, he laughed and added, "What am I going to do, psychoanalyze every one of them and say, 'Now, listen fellas, you know this team has had a tough time and right now we're playing better and don't let up because you know what'll happen?' I don't think they need that."

With former Celtic Eric Williams and Concord, N.H., product Matt Bonner on the Spurs, it was old home week in the visitors' locker room. Playing a limited role for a championship contender in his 12th season, Williams is having a lot of fun. "It's easy," he said. "It's a veteran team, guys who've done it before. I'm surrounded by 30 rings right now. I'm just trying to fit in the best way I can and be the vet that I can." Bonner said friends and family bought enough tickets to fill an entire section of the Garden, even though he was not playing as he rehabs from a torn left MCL. He hopes to be back in three weeks or less. "I'm making a lot of progress with the rehab and strengthening," said Bonner. With regard to friends and family coming down for the game, Bonner said, "I did some damage on the guest passes, for sure. I took about 50 or 60, so hopefully that's enough."

The Spurs received a big lift off the bench from Francisco Elson, who scored 10 points (2 shy of his season high) in 25 minutes. "I thought Francisco was our most impressive player," said Popovich. "I thought he was really great for us all night long." . . . The Celtics had 12 turnovers through three quarters, but then committed only one ( shot-clock violation) in the fourth . . . Rajon Rondo recorded 7 assists (one shy of his career high), most coming after Doc Rivers gave him a tongue-lashing on the sidelines . . . Rivers grew up in Chicago, so he has a clear rooting interest for the Super Bowl. "I told you the Bears in a rout [in the NFC Championship game] and no one wanted to hear that," said Rivers. "Bears in a rout [in the Super Bowl]." . . . M.L. Carr was at the game wearing a Celtics shirt, even though he is a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats . . . Leon Powe turned 23 yesterday.

Shira Springer can be reached at springer@globe.com.