Welcome to Game 4 …

Welcome to TD Garden, where the Boston Celtics will take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at 9 p.m. The Lakers lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1.

Contrary to popular sentiment after Game 3, Ray Allen has not actually disappeared. He’s on the court shooting right now, going through the same routine that got him an NBA Finals record eight three-pointers in Game 2 and an 0-for-13 shutout in Game 3. The results may change, but the routine doesn’t vary. If Allen has a strong game tonight, you can bet that a few dozen reporters will take that angle. Maybe more.

Tonight’s game is as must-win as must-win gets for the Celtics. It’s not an elimination game, but any reasonable Celtics fan likes his or her team’s chances better with a 3-2 lead going back to Los Angles rather than a 3-2 deficit. Of course, the Lakers could sweep these next two games and end this thing right here.

But that probably won’t happen.

There are two injuries to keep an eye on tonight. The first is Andrew Bynum’s knee. Phil Jackson said Bynum is a game-time decision, while Bynum said yesterday that he’d play tonight without a doubt. Expect Bynum to play, but watch his effectiveness. The same can be said for Rasheed Wallace, who will play with a back injury. Wallace is Boston’s biggest injury concern. If he is hobbled and the Celtics end up in foul trouble (as if there is any doubt), it could spell trouble for the Celtics.

The other player to keep an eye on is Paul Pierce. Pierce called out Ron Artest yesterday, saying Artest’s defense had nothing to do with his poor play so far. Will The Truth come out tonight?

We’ll see.