Tony Allen is replacing Paul Pierce in the starting lineup while he is out of action. Allen has played in 26 games (6 starts) for the Celtics this season and he is averaging 19.5 minutes, 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Allen is a outstanding shooter from the floor hitting 51.7% of his shots from the floor but he is not a good three point shooter as he hasn’t many any this season. The bottom line is no matter how well Allen plays the Celtics will still miss Paul Pierce.

With “Big Baby” Davis and Rasheed Wallace ahead of him for bench minutes at forward, Brian Scalabrine better pick up the pace or he’s going to be nailed to the end of the bench. Scalabrine has played in 35 games (3 starts) this season for the Celtics and he is averaging 10.0 minutes, 1.8 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Scalabrine’s shooting has been awful this season as he is only hitting 35.9% from the floor, 30.8% from three point range and 66.7% from the free throw line. If his shooting doesn’t improved his minutes on the court will disappear.

The Celtics need more out of Glen “Big Baby” Davis who is off to a slow start after missing most of this season due to a broken thumb. He has played in 7 games (0 starts) for the Celtics so far this season and he is averaging 14.1 minutes, 4.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He is only shooting 35.5% from the floor so far this year and that is very weak for a power forward who is usually shooting from close range. With Kevin Garnett hurting and Rasheed Wallace in the starting line-up the Celtics need Big Baby to step up.

With Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce out of action due to injuries the Celtics really need Rasheed Wallace to step up. Wallace has played in 31 games (2 starts) this season for the Celtics and he is averaging 21.6 minutes, 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. But, it’s Wallace’s shooting which has been way off this season as he is only hitting 38.7% from the floor and 28.1% from three point range. He starting to look like a player who is on the downside of his career which is not good news for the Celtics who need him to step up right now.

Tony Allen is the player the Celtics would like to start at small forward until Paul Pierce returns from injury. He has only played in 8 games (1 start) for the Celtics so far this season and he is averaging 15.9 minutes, 7.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal per game. Allen has always been a good offensive player when healthy in his career so he should be able to do a solid job with the extended minutes the Celtics will give him the next couple of weeks.