Rasheed Wallace to Return Monday; Doc Rivers Holds Skills Challenge at Practice

Has the NBA All-Star game has made its way to Waltham? Celtics head coach Doc Rivers held a skills challenge-like practice Saturday in place of a usual practice to lighten things up.

"Honestly, after watching the tape, I brought them in the locker room,
and said the last thing we need to do is practice today," Rivers told the Boston Globe. "I thought we were exhausted. I don't think one day allows
you to get your legs back, and so I told them since we had the open
practice, let's put a little set in and then go have some fun and enjoy
the game."

Stealing the show was Eddie House, who captured both the 3-point challenge as well as the free-throw title where he edged out Ray Allen in the final.

"I think, sometimes, in the year you've got to remember why
you play basketball and so I thought guys were laughing, and I thought
that was good for them," Rivers added.

J.R. Giddens edged out Bill Walker in the slam dunk contest when he caught the ball on a bounce, put it through his legs and threw it down for the sealing slam.Rivers also told reporters that he expects Rasheed Wallace, who has missed three straight games with a foot strain, to return to action against the Mavericks on Monday.