Garnett will let it flow

He won't fight sky-high emotions

Remember Kevin Garnett's first shot as a Celtic?

He was so jacked that he tossed up a brick that nailed the NBA logo on the right side of the backboard. Garnett calmed down and finished with 22 points and 20 rebounds in a 103-83 win over the Wizards Nov. 2.

Considering Garnett will be playing in the NBA Finals for the first time in his 13-year career tonight at TD Banknorth Garden, don't be surprised if he opens with similar jitters.

"It's like my first game, we played Washington here, I hit Jerry West [the NBA logo] with my first shot, and I've learned since then not to fight it, to just let it sort of ooze its way out and play," Garnett said. "I don't anticipate fighting anything come [tonight]. I'm just going to let it flow, try to center myself as best as I can, but at the same time, let the adrenaline, let it run and try not to get too tired too soon.

"[Coach] Doc [Rivers] has something for that. He's going to say, 'Come sit next to me.' So believe me, if I get too tired, I'm sure he'll sit me. I'm not worried about that. It's time to let all that out."

Signs of the impending showdown were apparent on the Garden parquet with "NBA Finals" decals on each end as well as a giant championship trophy decal at center court. After practice, Garnett's fellow All-Star teammates Ray Allen and Paul Pierce spoke about their excitement for their first Finals game.

"I'm going to appreciate this time, enjoy it, and understand, hey, this is it, this is the last series, so you have to leave it all on the court," said Pierce, a 10-year veteran.

Allen, a 12-year veteran, said: "If I can reflect on the winter, when we were watching the Super Bowl . . . and you see the football players, with their shades on and wherever it's somewhere sunny, they're playing football and they're excited about what they're doing and they're just living for the moment. I think this is that moment for us. We just enjoy it; it's a great time for you. I would rather be here most definitely than somewhere else watching it."

Status uncertain

Tony Allen said his strained right Achilles' was "OK," but as of yesterday afternoon he had not talked to Rivers about the possibility of playing in the Finals.

Allen injured his ankle during practice the day before Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. Although he practiced Monday, he said it wasn't easy.

"I was fighting through a lot of pain, but after the massage and the ice, I said, 'Let's give it a try,' " Allen said.

Allen has been used sparingly in the playoffs, averaging 3.8 minutes in 12 of the team's 20 games. When the Celtics and Lakers played Dec. 30 (a 110-91 Boston victory), Allen started in place of an injured Rajon Rondo and scored 16 points in 42 minutes.

Allen said he would like to play in the Finals, but he doesn't have to step on the court to feel a part of the experience.

"I feel like I've been part of this since Day 1," Allen said. "I did everything the coaching staff asked me to do. I did everything the organization asked me to do . . . I put my hand in the huddle and told them that I'm down with it for good or for worse. It don't matter if I get in or I don't, as long I'm cheering my teammates."

Mentors of moment

Earlier this season, James Posey showed his teammates his 2006 championship ring, which he earned as a member of the Heat. He wasn't showing off, he just wanted to give them a tangible championship vision. Posey and Sam Cassell are the only Celtics who have won an NBA title. Cassell won two with the Rockets, in 1994 and '95. Pierce said he has looked to both Posey and Cassell to help him prepare for his first Finals. "These opportunities don't come along [often]," Pierce said. "I got that from them guys. You talk about Sam won it over 10 years ago, a guy who definitely appreciates the moment. So I'm going to appreciate this time, enjoy it, and understand, 'Hey this is it, this is the last series so you have to leave it all on the court.' " . . . Massachusetts native James Taylor will take to the parquet tonight to sing the national anthem prior to Game 1. The local flavor continues for Sunday's Game 2 as the Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, will perform the Star-Spangled Banner.