Jefferson keeps movin’ up in Boston

Rivers inserted Jefferson into the starting lineup on December 6 against the Memphis Grizzlies and the young star posted nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds in a losing effort. Jefferson is averaging a double-double since being named a starter, recording 14.8 points and 11.7 rebounds in 21 starts.

Jefferson, who is doing the best he can while star Paul Pierce nurses an injured foot, was averaging 9.3 points and 7.0 boards a night before becoming one of the starting five. Now Jefferson, the 15th selection in the 2004 NBA Draft, is averaging 13.2 points and 10.3 rebounds for the season. Pierce will be examined to see if he can remove the protective boot from his left foot.

Last month Jefferson, the second-leading scorer on the team, posted 11 games with double figures in rebounds. He averaged 10.7 rebounds in 15 games during December after recording 12 double-figure rebounding games over his first 141 contests with Boston. He was a lion on the boards against Detroit on January 13 this season with 22 rebounds. It was the most since Mark Blount pulled down 21 boards against Orlando on March 1, 2004.

Meanwhile, guard Gerald Green has started eight games this season and is averaging 16.75 points and 5.0 rebounds over that span. Green and rookie Rajon Rondo have filled in nicely and are seeing more time with guard Delonte West out of the lineup to heal his sore back.

West has missed the last four games because of the problem and is averaging 9.1 points and 2.4 assists this season. Also, forward Wally Szczerbiak has been out the previous four games with two injured ankles. Boston’s second- leading scorer is posting 16.9 points and 3.5 rebounds a game this season.

In other injury news, guard Tony Allen underwent successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery along with cartilage repair to his left knee on Wednesday. Allen, who is out indefinitely, is averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.48 steals in 33 games this season.

The Celtics are struggling as of late, but are still just five games off the lead in the weak Atlantic Division. They have dropped five straight and are an abysmal 2-12 over the previous 14 contests.

Boston will return to the hardwood on Friday night against the Sacramento Kings at TD Banknorth Arena. The Celtics are just 4-13 in Beantown this season and 8-12 as the visitor.