After scoring just 12 points in the first quarter against the Grizzlies, the Celtics more than doubled that point total against the Pacers. They lead 29-23 after the first 12 minutes.

The Celtics offense has been fueled by Rajon Rondo, who leads all players with 10 points (4-6 FG). Nate Robinson provided the high energy play of the quarter when he picked off a bad pass and nailed a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left. This put the Celtics up by six and got the crowd on their feet.

Troy Murphy leads the Pacers with 7 points.

Even though Marquis Daniels committed to the Celtics over a week ago, the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers have yet to agree on how the free agent would end up in green, whether it is by a sign-and-trade or a biannual exception.

On Monday the Boston Herald reported the talks between the two teams have hit a snag and they are seeking out a third team to help facilitate the deal.  According to the Herald, the Pacers are not satisfied with the players the Celtics are offering for a sign-and-trade, reportedly Tony Allen and possibly Gabe Pruitt.

The Herald quoted a source as saying, “They need a third team, and that’s complicated. No other teams have jumped at it so far.”

Life has been put on hold for Brian Scalabrine since suffering what he believes to be his fifth concussion — the third in a matter of weeks — on February 19 against the Utah Jazz.

“You can’t do anything,” he said prior to Sunday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. “You can’t watch TV for more than like 30 minutes, can’t read a book, can’t get on the Internet.”

It’s forced a change in lifestyle for Scal and his family. What does he do now for fun?

“Like what we did back in the day, we conversate. My wife’s getting tired of me talking to her though,” he said with a laugh. “My daughter, she gets bored after 20 minutes. So like I said, you really can’t do anything. You really, really, really can’t do anything.”

Scalabrine was initially diagnosed with a cervical strain in his neck. However he now believes that “99 percent” of his injury was caused by a concussion. He also suffered two concussions in January. After being deemed asymptomatic by doctors, he will undergo an MRI on Monday morning.

“I can’t worry about that until we get to the real deal,” he said. “Am I deep, deep down inside concerned a little bit about it? You know, it’s your career, it’s your life, yeah. But hopefully it all works out and I have no problems.”

Even though concussions are more common in the NFL than the NBA, one player can relate to Scalabrine’s setback. Indiana Pacers guard T.J. Ford has suffered three severe spinal injuries dating back to the 2005 season. His most recent injury occurred last season — caused by a flagrant foul by the Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford — and left him motionless on the court.

Ford bruised the same area of his spinal cord so many times that he eventually has his vertebrae fused together. He understands the importance of properly healing any injury in that part of the body.

“You want to be cautious any time you’re dealing with your neck, head, or spinal injuries because it eventually could affect how the rest of your life is,” Ford said. “So he has to be very cautious. The best thing to do is seek out information and get as much advice as possible about the injury and ways that you can get better so that you can live a good, healthy life and still be able to do the things you love to do.”

As Scalabrine awaits a diagnosis, the Celtics are struggling without him. The loss of Scalabrine, Kevin Garnett (knee), and Tony Allen (thumb) has depleted the Celtics bench, forcing Paul Pierce to play 48 minutes against the Pistons. (RECAP HERE) Glen Davis also aggravated his left foot and walked with a slight limp after the game. Scalabrine is itching to help his team.

“It’s different,” said Scalabrine. “The athlete and the common person, you cannot treat them the same way. Like a common person gets the flu and he’s supposed to relax for two weeks. An athlete, you can’t do it. Like they were talking to me about three months with no activity. I mean, that just doesn’t work for us. Everyone knows this. We have to deal with what it is. And you have to deal with, if you tweak an ankle they tell you take six to eight weeks off, you’ll be fine. Well six to eight weeks for us, that’s two months. You can’t do that. That’s 30 games. I just believe that you have to treat them separately.”

But Scalabrine can’t rush back, says Ford. In fact Scalabrine can’t even read a book at this point in time without the words blending together.

“It’s preparation. It’s preparation, it’s hard work, just building that confidence back,” Ford said. “And I think it starts off the court, just with conditioning yourself while you’re working out so when you get back to this level you’re not thinking twice about it.”

Doctors will determine the timetable for Scalabrine’s return. In the meantime, all he can do is stay optimistic.

“You can’t worry about it one way,” he said. “In my mind, I’m like, I’m not discouraged. I’m like thinking that I’ll be back in a week. That’s what my mind is.”

On Friday the Boston Celtics (46-13) will return to the TD BankNorth Garden to take on the Indiana Pacers (25-35). It has been nearly three weeks since the Celtics played on their home court, and since then a lot has changed:

• February 13-15: Big Three participate in All-Star Weekend
• February 17: Sam Cassell traded to the Sacramento Kings
• February 19 (day): Patrick O’Bryant traded to the Toronto Raptors
• February 19 (night): Kevin Garnett strains right knee; Celtics lose 90-85 to Utah Jazz
• February 22: Rajon Rondo celebrates 23rd birthday with 32 points in 128-108 win over Phoenix Suns
• February 23: Brian Scalabrine suffers cervical strain; Celtics beat Denver Nuggets 114-76
• February: 24: Stephon Marbury is bought out by the New York Knicks; Mikki Moore signs with the Celtics
• February 25: Moore debuts; Paul Pierce dislocates right thumb; Celtics lose 93-91 to Los Angeles Clippers
• February 26: Gabe Pruitt is arrested in LA for suspicion of DUI; Marbury tells New York Times he will sign with Celtics and be in uniform on February 27

The actual game between the Celtics and Pacers is overshadowed by the question of whether or not Marbury will be a Celtic prior to tip off. While the Celtics may make an addition, both teams are shorthanded. Garnett (knee), Tony Allen (thumb), and Brian Scalabrine (neck) are unavailable for the Celtics. Danny Granger (foot) and Mike Dunleavy (knee) will not play for the Pacers. The Celtics are 2-1 since losing Garnett. The Pacers are 3-1 without Granger.

Tip-off is at 7:30 EST.