"Rasheed Wallace generally has no problem discussing what has been done or what needs to be done, but yesterday he had his headband to the grindstone.

Wallace didn't want to talk too deeply about what went wrong in the Celtics' Game 1 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, even though if things remain the same his role could be diminished in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Coach Doc Rivers was asked if Wallace's playing time could be reduced if he does not improve.

"It could be," Rivers said. "But bottom line is he has to play better, and we'll give him every opportunity to play well. He has to play better, bottom line. He's got to play better defense. The offense will come, but he has to be a better defender."

Wallace picked up three first-half fouls and was never a factor. He had two points and two rebounds in 13 minutes. The C's bench was outscored, 26-12, by the Cavaliers reserves.

"I'm keeping it simple, just energy," Wallace said. "I ain't trying to say too much. I ain't trying to get fined again. Just energy."

Rivers said going into the series that his subs would play a critical role in the outcome, and there are numbers to back him up."