WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) - Boston backup guard Tony Allen is back on the practice court as the Celtics prepare for the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Coach Doc Rivers said Allen was only supposed to go through the first part of practice on Tuesday, but he was jumping and dunking.

Allen had some success guarding Lakers star Kobe Bryant in the regular season, holding the NBA MVP to 22 points on 6-for-25 shooting.

Allen missed the last two games of the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit after straining his right Achilles' tendon in practice. He did not make it through the walkthrough on Monday, when the Celtics returned to practice.

Allen said massage has helped his leg feel better.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.