Ray Allen drains go-ahead 3-pointer over Ronny Turiaf and Toney Douglas, lifts Boston over Knicks

BOSTON - He rubbed off screens, dropped in runners along the baseline and buried a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from the corner, employing an economical use of space to separate himself for open looks. It was Celtics guard Ray Allen's ability to relocate behind the 3-point line with 12 seconds left, though, that sprung him free for the game-winner over Ronny Turiaf's extended arm.
"It's all about rhythm," said Allen, who set a screen for guard Paul Pierce before rolling off and receiving a pass from him.
Allen, the NBA's all-time leader in 3-point field goals, knocked down the biggest jump shot of Boston's 87-85 playoff win over the Knicks, holding his hand high as guard Toney Douglas, who had tripped while trying to prevent Allen from squaring up, looked up at him. Douglas, at Allen's feet, watched the dagger fall through the net at the TD Garden. "I've seen it a trillion times," Celtics forward Glen Davis said. "Ray hits that anytime."
In scoring 24 points and grabbing six rebounds, Allen accepted the responsibility of lifting the Celtics from first-half struggles and absorbed blows from the Knicks' interior defenders en route to the rim. Able to position himself in ways to protect his 35-year-old frame, Allen opened opportunities for teammates on the perimeter and crafted an ending suited for the story line of the experienced unit flipping the switch for the playoffs. "I knew we'd find our comfort zones," Allen said. "We're our own worst enemy if we don't move the ball around. I'm not going to fall into that hole thinking I have to shoot."
The game was far from seamless for the Celtics. On multiple trips up the court, point guard Rajon Rondo ran too fast for his own handle, the Celtics staggered through two 24-second shot clock violations and lapsed through three-second violations. Still, the knowledge of being able to shake off air balls and the necessity to push the pace allowed them to maintain composure.
"If we're worrying about a violation on the first play then we're in trouble," Pierce said. "We know what it takes at this point."