Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The Knicks have been a soap opera in themselves this year with the off-season legal troubles, Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas’ feud, and Marbury leaving the team in the middle of a road trip.

Even with all of that, the Knicks have survived. At least as much as 4-9 can be called surviving.

One person who has definitely survived has been Thomas, the Knicks president of basketball operation and head coach.

A lot of heat for the lackluster play has been placed squarely at his feet.

“I feel for him,” Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said of Thomas. “I do think they’re playing harder. I told him that. They’re playing better now as well. It’s been a heck of a ride the last month. He’s still standing and I’m glad that he is.”

Despite what Rivers characterized as “distractions” he said he thinks the Knicks players are talented, like each other, and stick together.

Allen out
River said that Tony Allen will not play tonight, and that he does not expect him to be available for tomorrow night’s game in Miami.

Allen is listed as inactive with a bruised right thing. He did not play in the Celtics game on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rivers joked in his pre-game meeting with the press that he asked Reggie Miller on more time if he would come out of retirement and play for the Celtics. Miller, who flirted with the idea in the off-season, is part of TNT’s broadcast team for tonight’s game.

They’re getting their rest
The Celtics had yesterday off following Tuesday night’s game in Cleveland.

Paul Pierce said the rest is beneficial with a veteran team like the Celtics have this season, but he also added that guys are still shooting, lifting weights, and receiving treatment from the training staff.

The Celtic trio of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Pierce have averaged 40.4, 38.2, and 39.0 minutes per game, respectively.

While acknowledging that getting off to a slow start was a concern because of all the off-season changes to the Celtics roster, Rivers added that being 11-2 at this point in the season is not what they’re playing for.

He also attributed a portion of the high minute totals to the overtime games (they’ve played two OT games) and the fact that minor injuries have sidelined players who would be in the regular rotation. Tony Allen, James Posey, Brian Scalabrine, and Eddie House have all already missed games this season due to injury.

TNT in Beantown?
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on TNT. To put into perspective how long it has been since the Celtics were featured in a national game just look no further than Danny Ainge. The Celtics general manager and executive director of basketball operations was an analyst for the station the last time the Celtics had a home game that was broadcast on TNT.