Pruitt returns from D-League

Guard needed for stretch run

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The minor league stint of rookie point guard Gabe Pruitt has officially ended, and he will be back in green soon.

Pruitt is expected to practice with the team here tomorrow after completing his third and final stint in the NBA Development League with the Utah Flash last night. The Celtics originally wanted the 2007 second-round pick back before last night's game against Charlotte, but Pruitt wanted to play with the Flash Friday in Anaheim and last night in Bakersfield.

"We are getting ready for the playoffs," said Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge. "We need practice bodies in case somebody does get hurt and need to give him some minutes to see what kind of progress he's made."

With point guards Rajon Rondo, Eddie House, and Sam Cassell on the roster, the inexperienced Pruitt isn't likely to be activated during the postseason. Coach Doc Rivers, however, said Rondo is expected to get some time off during the final six regular-season games, which could open up some playing time.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the playoff experience and seeing what that's like," said Pruitt in a recent phone interview.

"That would be nice to get a couple games in before the playoff starts."

Pruitt was averaging 20.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 steals in his third stint with Utah (11 games) entering last night's contest. Flash general manager David Fredman said recently that Pruitt has a chance to be special.

"I'm a lot more comfortable," Pruitt said. "I'm getting up a lot of shots. I make 100 shots before I leave the gym. I've been pleased with that. I've been trying to mix things up and not just be a scorer. I'm looking to create more and do things Danny wants to see.

"I do think I'm a way better player now.

"I'm playing steady."

Ainge has been watching video of Pruitt and calling him to give encouragement and constructive criticism. Rivers has been corresponding via e-mail. Pruitt also talks regularly to fellow rookie Glen Davis and spoke recently to Tony Allen.

"He's going to be a player someday and he's got to believe that," Rivers said. "When you're down there, you think that we forget about you, but we don't. We know you're there. We're still counting on him."

Dad stays home

Paul Pierce had the pleasure of holding his newborn daughter in his hands yesterday instead of a basketball.

Pierce didn't travel with the Celtics to play against the Bobcats, staying in Boston after his daughter, Prianna Lee, was born Friday evening. Julie Landrum, the mother and Pierce's fiancée, may be discharged from the hospital as early as today.

A team release said Pierce was "amazed and psyched" at being a father.

Since 2007, Pierce, Rondo, Brian Scalabrine, Kendrick Perkins, James Posey, and Leon Powe have all become fathers. Kevin Garnett's wife, Brandi, is also pregnant.

"I'd like to give him some space and room and let him breathe a little bit," said Ray Allen, who has three children and plans on calling Pierce today.

Rivers said Pierce will join the team in Milwaukee tomorrow prior to Tuesday's game against the Bucks, which means he'll miss tomorrow's practice here.

"I'm leaving him alone," said Rivers, who sent Pierce a congratulatory text message. "I don't think he needs somebody bothering him right now."

Pierce, Allen, and Garnett all took last night's game off - it was the first one this season Pierce has missed - and will be available on a game-by-game basis the rest of the regular season.

Beating Sox traffic

The Bobcats learned before their 105-100 triumph at Toronto Friday night that if they got caught in traffic with the sold-out and nearby Red Sox-Blue Jays game, it would take them a long time to get to the airport for their flight home. The Bobcats whisked through postgame interviews and were on their way to the Toronto airport 50 minutes after the final buzzer. Bobcats center Emeka Okafor, a former UConn star, was convinced not to do his usual lengthy postgame stretching.

Summer plans

Bobcats rookie forward Jared Dudley, the former Boston College star, is averaging 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds. He had a career-high 17 points against Toronto March 2. Dudley plans on spending most of the offseason in Las Vegas working with renowned athletic trainer Joe Abunassar and playing summer ball with the Bobcats, in Las Vegas or Orlando. "I'm right on cue with what I wanted to do," Dudley said. "I want the fans and the organization to know that I'm ready for the next level. I played well throughout the whole [season]. I can only remember one stretch of two or three games where I played bad. Besides that, I've had a real good feel out here."