Looking More For Ray

by Jeff Clark on Jan 28, 2009 4:12 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Rob Paterson looks at Ray Allen's hot streak.

If it seems as if the Boston Celtics can't lose right now, it's because Ray Allen can't miss.

During Boston's current eight-game winning streak, Allen has been a model of ruthless offensive efficiency. Beginning with a 36-point performance in a win against Toronto on Jan. 11, Allen has averaged 20.9 points while shooting .656 from the field, including a sizzling 27-for-41 from three-point range.

The streaking Celtics, who at 37-9 have the same record through 46 games as last season, smartly have stuck with Allen's hot hand. "It looks like they're running more stuff for Ray," a scout said.

While they haven't installed new plays for Allen, the Celtics seem to be emphasizing Allen's versatility when he gets the ball.

"They're not stashing him in the corner to make threes," the scout said. "He can catch and shoot so well. He's making his threes, but he's also putting the ball on the floor.

"It takes a lot of pressure on offense off Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett."

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Ray and Rondo seem to feed off each other.

How many times this season has one of them had a good game and the other a bad one? Doesn’t seem like that many.

by PJ Martinez on Jan 28, 2009 4:52 PM EST reply actions

I was thinking the same thing...

The number of stagger screens being set for Ray Allen lately seems insanely high. This also makes life a lot easier for Rondo, giving him probably the easiest assist known to man kind when Ray Allen comes off a stagger screen wide open in the corner. As a whole, that seems to be an underrated adjustment Doc has made this year as compared to last. This isn’t just with Ray, but with Garnett and Pierce also. Whoever has the hot hand seems to be getting a lot more consistent looks, where as last year I felt like they were more interested in taking turns. Being that basketball is about rhythm, this makes a lot of sense, and is certainly working.

SCOTT

by Vegas Scott on Jan 28, 2009 6:04 PM EST reply actions