WALTHAMThe Boston Celtics once again approach a playoff game uncertain if one of their top guards will play.
Only now, it's not Ray Allen.
Instead, it's the man who replaced him in the starting lineup, Avery Bradley. C's officials list Bradley (left shoulder) as questionable for tonight's Game 4 matchup.
Bradley, who has been bothered by shoulder problems throughout this season, re-aggravated the injury in the third quarter of Boston's 90-84 overtime win against Atlanta in Game 3.
"It's really sore," Bradley told CSNNE.com after the Game 3 win. "Every time I go to extend my arm and it gets hit, it comes in and out."
While he did participate in the team's morning shoot-around, the C's continue to list him as a game-time decision.
As for Allen, who returned to the C's lineup after missing nearly a month because of a right ankle injury, he is expected to play tonight.
Boston Celtics
Like Bradley, Allen was also able to participate in the team's morning shoot-around which consisted primarily of half court drills with little to no contact.
However, the Celtics understand that Allen's availability could change between now and tip-off, which was the case on a couple occasions earlier this season when he was close to returning to the court.
The 6-foot-5 guard played 37 minutes in Boston's Game 3 win, significantly more than anyone -- Allen included -- anticipated.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers makes no apologies for extending Allen's minutes, which was due in part because of Bradley's shoulder injury.
Said Rivers: "Someone asked me (before Game 3), 'Would there be a minute restriction (on Allen)? I said, 'No, because we don't know when he'll play again or not.' So I'm getting everything I can get out of him each game. I'm saying that jokingly, but somewhat true as well."
If Bradley can not play, the Celtics will look to fill his void from a pool of players that consists of Sasha Pavlovic, Marquis Daniels, Allen and Mickael Pietrus. Boston also may consider going with Keyon Dooling.