01:00 AM EST on Friday, February 3, 2006

BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Rookie Gerald Green will be back with the Celts tonight. Rivers and executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge decided to send the first-round draft pick to the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBDL on Jan. 6. In seven games, he has averaged 12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists -- but over 3 turnovers.

He is expected to travel with the team for its two-game road trip in Florida this weekend, since Boston's recent seven-play trade with Minnesota left them with 11 active players, one short of the 12-player maximum.

"It will be interesting (to see) what he remembers [of Boston's plays]. We have made some changes," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, adding that Green's stay with Boston won't be that long.

"I don't think so, but we haven't decided that. I love that he's getting a lot of minutes (with the Patriots)."

A welcome practice

With a disappointing 1-3 record since trading for Wally Szczerbiak (and Michael Olowokandi and Dwayne Jones) a week ago, the Celtics are clearly struggling to see how their new piece fits into their puzzle.

Yesterday was the first time the team has really had a chance to practice with Szczerbiak and Olowokandi, acquired in the trade with Minnesota.

It was 90-plus minutes that were greatly needed.

"It was nice. It was long, but it was really nice," Rivers said. "I know you don't get it in a day. You can see there were stretches where Wally was really just playing through it, and everybody said you could see stretches where he was going too quick or thinking, and that's going to happen for a while. But at least we were able to get in some things we can run."

Team captain Paul Pierce was glad that he and his new teammates got a prolonged chance to be on the floor together yesterday.

"Anytime you get a chance to get in practice time, especially with the new guys, its going to be very beneficial for us. Like I said, we haven't had a lot of practice time to work on our chemistry, our style of play, so anytime we can get on the court is valuable time," said Pierce.

Period of adjustment

The addition of Szczerbiak means changes not only for wing players, but also for other Celtics.

"I don't know (how long it will take to rework the team's chemistry)," Rivers said. "You know, I don't. Every team, every individual, is different. If I was guessing, then with Wally it won't take long because he's got a really high basketball IQ. But it upsets the young guys, and that I can't make a guess on. But Wally, in a week or two, I think he'll feel comfortable with what we're doing. The (veteran players), they're kind of used to it, but the first step is getting Wally to be aggressive and comfortable. I thought he was not aggressive at all (Wednesday night). He was a ball mover."

smanza@projo.com / (401) 277-7340