Celtics expect Allen, Perkins to play in Game 6

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers planned to go with his regular starting lineup in Tuesday night's Game 6 of the NBA Finals after Ray Allen's delayed return from Los Angeles and Kendrick Perkins' progress from a shoulder injury.

Allen took an overnight flight to Boston after spending extra time with his youngest son, who underwent medical tests in the Los Angeles area after feeling ill.

"Oh, yeah, I'm starting him," Rivers said with a laugh about his shooting guard. "No doubt. Starting Perk, starting Ray and everyone else."

Allen was second on the team in scoring and rebounding as the Celtics took a 3-2 lead in the series.

Rivers said he talked briefly with Allen, who skipped Tuesday morning's shootaround.

"I said, `How you doing?' I didn't even ask him about basketball, honestly," Rivers said. "I just asked him how he was doing. He said he's fine. That's all I needed to know."

The Celtics gave no details of the child's condition at Allen's request.

"Ray is doing good. I mean, he's going to be fine," Rivers said. "Obviously, he's not had a lot of sleep over the last three days, probably. ... We were thinking about it before this morning, just how much he's probably had. It can't be much. But he's ready. You can see it, he's ready to play."

The 280-pound Perkins participated in the shootaround after missing the Lakers' 103-98 Game 5 win Sunday night.