Tony Allen appeared in court yesterday afternoon, posted $150,000 bond, and returned to Boston after spending a second night in a Chicago jail and being charged with aggravated battery, according to his attorney, Michael Zaslavsky. The charge stems from his role in a fight that escalated into a shooting at the White Palace Grill in Chicago's West Loop Aug. 28.

The conditions of his bond allow Allen to ''only travel for work purposes," said Cook County state's attorney's office spokesman Tom Stanton. Allen is due back in Chicago Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

If indicted between now and then, Allen will be formally charged Wednesday with the Class 3 felony for allegedly striking Nigel Odum in the face during the altercation. He would then await arraignment and the opportunity to enter a plea. Aggravated assault carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.

''I think the charges that they brought are without merit," said Zaslavsky. ''Tony is anxious to defend the charges brought against him, so that a jury can find that he is not guilty of all charges."