-- Welcome to the TD Garden where the Boston Celtics will battle the New Orleans Hornets in a matchup featuring two teams hoping to reach the NBA Finals this year.

The locker room just closed and Rajon Rondo and Brian Scalabrine were the two Celtics that took some time out of their busy pregame schedules to talk to the media.

Rondo, who is hoping to have his contract extended before time runs out Monday night, said that he has not talked to his agent, Bill Duffy, in two days. He said that he is not worried about signing a contract because if it does not get signed on Monday, "it is not the end of the world."

Because of that, and because, he said, he will have a job next year no matter what, his contract negotiations have not been a distraction for him.

Rondo said that he would like to be a Celtic next year, but is not sure if he will be if the Celtics don't come up on their previous offer, reportedly for five years for $45 million.

Rondo believes he is one of the top five point guards in the league so he should be paid as one and is reportedly seeking a contract between $55 and $60 million for five years.

New Orleans coach Byron Scott said that he believes that Rondo is one of the top "five or six" point guards in the league.

Boston coach Doc Rivers said that he doesn't like to rank players, but he said that Rondo is the best point guard for the Celtics right now.

Brian Scalabrine, meanwhile, missed Boston's first three games with a right ankle injury, but he said that he is ready to play today.

More to come...