LOS ANGELES -- Celtics reserve guard Tony Allen strained a tendon in his right ankle during Thursday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers and coach Doc Rivers expects Allen to miss Friday's game in Portland.

Allen, who became even more valuable after a deadline deal sent Eddie House to the Knicks in a five-player swap centered around Nate Robinson coming to Boston, left the game midway through the second quarter and did not play in the second half (finishing with 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting over 2:04).

Rivers got on the phone immediately following the game and tried to get an express delivery on Robinson, but didn't seem optimistic because the incoming backup point guard needed to get his post-trade physical Friday in Boston before he could even relocate to the West Coast and join the team.

Allen was the only true guard available to Rivers given a post-trade bench loaded with bigs (Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Brian Scalabrine and Shelden Williams). Marquis Daniels, who primarily plays at small forward given his height, helped out at the guard spot -- not an unusual task as he often lends a hand at guard -- and starting point guard Rajon Rondo logged more than 44 minutes.

Before Thursday's game, Rivers lamented the NBA's policy of having the trade deadline occur after the All-Star break, which often forces teams to play shorthanded as players relocate.

"Who am I to suggest changes in the NBA?" asked Rivers. "But why doesn't the trade deadline end over the All-Star break? I don't get why we have to come back for four more days. It's such a good fit over All-Star break. Then when you come out of break, the deadline's passed, all the [general managers] can go to the All-Star game and get it done. I wish that's the way it happened. It would allow you to start the break with your [entire] team and allow guys to [join their new club] and not miss games like tonight, where we lose Eddie [House], and we're not allowed to use Nate [Robinson]. We wouldn't have that situation. I would love that to change."

Rivers and Phil Jackson also criticized Cleveland's acquisition of Antawn Jamison. You can read more on that HERE.