The Celtics’ Paul Pierce, left, fouls the 76ers’ Andre Iguodala, who is driving to the basket during the first quarter last night.

AP / Elise Amendola

BOSTON — It was a quiet Celtics locker room before last night’s game against Philadelphia, with one exception.

Tony Allen was hyper. He made it clear he very much wanted to return to work.

The Boston guard missed the last two games with a bruised lower back. He indicated that he was not 100 percent yet, but had improved enough to play.

“I’ve got to fight through it,” he said. “Yes, I feel much better.”

When a writer asked what his injury was, Allen reached around and tapped the writer on the lower back, on the bone just above his waist.

“We’re going to put a little cushioning pad over it, just in case,” he said. “It’s getting late in the season. I’ve got to get back in the gym, get the routine back, get some practicing in. We’re at home all this week, so I’ve got a lot of time to get back in the gym.”

Allen entered with 1:20 left in the first quarter last night, replacing Ray Allen.

Roster depth

Tony Allen’s situation illustrates how competitive the Celtics’ roster has become.

With the late-season addition of veterans Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown, the Celts are deeper than they have been all season. A year that began with some wondering how much help the bench could provide for the big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, has seen positive developments come from all directions.

Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, James Posey and Eddie House have been solid all along. Tony Allen was putting up some of the best numbers of his career. Rookie Glenn Davis has proven to be a nice addition and fellow forward Leon Powe has shown he can help, too.

With Cassell and Brown, no one is worrying about depth any more.

Disappointment for Rivers

Rivers had a disappointing day Sunday. He went to see his son, Jeremiah, play for Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament. The Hoyas were upset by Davidson.

“It was tough because you can’t do anything about it,” he said. “It’s what parents go through watching their kids and their teams lose. I was just happy I was there.”

Garnett player of week

Garnett has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. He averaged 20.5 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot as the Celts went 3-1, all on the road. He had three double-doubles. It is the 17th time in his career Garnett has won the weekly honor, the second time this season.

Hill still sidelined

Providence College grad Herbert Hill remains with the 76ers, but has yet to get in a game. Hill is out with a torn meniscus in his left knee. After being drafted by Utah in the second round and traded to Philadelphia, Hill played in both the Las Vegas and Denver summer leagues.

Seats for Soldiers

The Celtics hosted 300 members of the United States Armed Services and their families last night, part of the first-ever Seats for Soldiers program.

The tickets to the sold-out game were donated by Celtics season-ticket holders.

pkenyon@projo.com