The return to health of Tony Allen meant that rookie Gabe Pruitt could make another visit to the NBA Development League. Pruitt was assigned yesterday (for the second time) to the Utah Flash, for whom he played two games last month.


When Allen was hurt Nov. 24 in Charlotte, the Celtics brought Pruitt back and he stayed with the team for four games. He got into the Knicks blowout, playing 13 minutes.


He was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers.


Pruitt rejoins teammate Brandon Wallace, who was assigned to the Flash Nov. 13 and leads them in rebounding. Utah played at Anaheim last night and also will be in Anaheim tomorrow night. That’s fine with Pruitt, whose family is from the Los Angeles area and will be able to see him play.


Rivers honored


Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for November. He’s the first Celtics coach to win the award in almost 15 years, or since Chris Ford in April 1992. Ford, Jimmy Rodgers (April 1990, just before he was fired), and K.C. Jones (once in 1984 and once in 1986) are the only Boston coaches to receive the recognition. The award has been given since 1982 . . . Orlando’s Dwight Howard was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month . . . Executive director of basketball operations/GM Danny Ainge has been watching from afar as the Red Sox consider whether to include Jacoby Ellsbury in a deal. It’s not unlike what he went through before finally agreeing to trade Al Jefferson to Minnesota. “It’s really hard to trade a promising young player,” Ainge said. “But every situation is different. Some work out. Some don’t. But I’m a huge Ellsbury fan. He’s an Oregonian and we stick together.” Ainge grew up in Eugene, Ore. . . . The Celtics took yesterday off and will have their first full practice in a week today.