Celtics coach doubts Allen will play in opener

Injured Boston guard Ray Allen will probably sit out the Celtics' opening playoff game against the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday, coach Doc Rivers said on Saturday.

"Honestly, I don't think he'll play, but we'll find that out," Rivers told reporters when asked about the shooting guard who has been sidelined for two weeks because of a sore right ankle.

"He can play, so I'm not saying he's not, and it would be very nice if he does," Rivers added, "but he's just not moving well and we'll just find out."

Allen, 36, said he would make a game-time decision on playing.

"There's actually no swelling right now," he said. "But there is still pain to deal with."

Allen averaged 14.3 points a game for the Celtics during the regular season.

If he cannot play, Avery Bradley is expected to start in his place.

"There's the one (lineup) with Ray and the one without him," Rivers said. "That's tough for Avery and Mickael (Pietrus), but both of those guys have been able to deal with that all season. That's been great for us."

(Reporting By Gene Cherry in Salvo North Carolina; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)