``We do those (television) interviews in the third quarter, and (the reporter) said that he only took two shots, and I said, `Yeah, but he's the most dominant player on the floor right now,' '' said coach Doc Rivers following the Celtics' 118-90 win over Chicago. ``I thought he controlled the game with his speed. He took only two shots tonight, and someone will read the stats and say, he only had two points, and if you didn't see the game you wouldn't know the impact he had on our team tonight.''

The reason is that you can go through Pierce's 22 points and Allen's 20, and attach virtually every point to a Rondo assist.

He finished with 16 assists - one shy of his career high - and came within two rebounds of a double-double.

``I have good vision regardless, but when guys came off picks they were so wide open tonight,'' he said. ``The offense has been great.''

Stirring the nest

Kendrick Perkins offered up some cannon fodder for tomorrow's game against the Hornets.

The Celtics center told the media that, according to Rondo, the only reason Chris Paul has so many assists is that ``the ball is in his hands all the time.''

Look for a high over/under number on assists between Rondo and Paul.

Extra time

Though the deadline in Rondo's negotiation for a contract extension has been pushed back to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, both sides reacted to the news in almost blase fashion.

Danny Ainge said yesterday that he knew of the extension - enacted because the NBA office isn't open on weekends - but didn't even discuss the change with agent Bill Duffy, who didn't learn of the extension until yesterday. The deadline was originally today.

Duffy initially said via text message, ``That would be nice,'' when told of the revised deadline.

But later, after thinking about it, Duffy said, ``We'll see,'' when asked if the extra time would help in a negotiation that appears as unresolved as ever, with Rondo poised to become a restricted free agent in a lucrative market next summer.

Ainge sounded decidedly unmoved about having extra time to hammer out a deal. ``I don't know if it helps or it doesn't help,'' said the Celtics general manager.

Book not for Doc

Rivers can still flash with a little emotion when remembering that day five seasons ago when Tim Donaghy tossed him out of a game against the Nets.

As it turns out, that's about the only anecdote that hasn't been included in the disgraced referee's as-yet-unpublished book, though some interesting excerpts could be found as of yesterday on deadspin.com.

``Was that in there? He threw me out in four minutes,'' said Rivers, who has little interest in reading what the convicted felon has to say. ``I kind of heard about it through gossip, but I don't know the stories that are in it. And I don't want to. Why would you want to listen to a criminal?'' Though Rivers has ruffled his share of referees' feathers, he sympathizes with the profession - especially when these men have to work under the shadow of a former peer who bet on the games he worked.

``It's the toughest game to officiate of the three,'' Rivers said of Basketball, football and baseball. ``It's just a tough sport.''

On the mend

Brian Scalabrine, though close to returning from a sprained ankle, was once again left in sick bay last night.

``I thought he might be able to play tonight and he can't, so maybe we'll have him for (tomorrow),'' said Rivers. . . .

For each of the 70 games that Comcast SportsNet broadcasts this season, analyst Tommy Heinsohn will sign a ball to be given to a Children's Hospital patient.

Read the Celtics Insider at bostonherald.com.