By Jessica Camerato
CSNNE.com
BOSTON - When Ray Allens signature long-range shot wasnt falling, he went with Plan B.
That decision helped the Celtics beat the Pacers, 99-88, on Sunday afternoon.
Allen hit his first three-point bucket with four minutes to go in the second quarter. But as his next four attempts didnt drop, he changed his course.
Showing his veteran discipline, Allen passed on the trey and drove the lane instead. Only three of his 17 points came from beyond the arc (8-16 FG).
The last time Allen shot 1-for-6 from beyond the arc, he finished with just nine points. Sundays performance was the most points he has scored all season when only making one three-point shot.
I just had to go to the hole, Allen said. I missed a couple shots that seemed like they were right on, but I did sense the urgency to take me off the three-point ball. So when I was coming up, I was just trying to get to the hole because there were gaps there.
Boston Celtics
Allen provided one of the highlights of the game with a fastbreak layup that froze Mike Dunleavy in his tracks. While the play was something typical of a speedy point guard, it was part of Allens plan of attack.
"It's just, I'm not the guy that always has the ball in his hands, he said. I'm known for what I've been doing while in this role. But my whole career, I've had to create opportunities for myself, be a playmaker for other guys on the team, try to get other guys involved. I don't have to do that as much this year. (Rajon) Rondo is a guy who is the creator here on the team, but we still have to be able to make plays with each other.
Just as Allen adjusted his own offense against the Pacers, he has also adjusted the way he plays within the team with Rondo sidelined (ankle). He dished six assists for the second consecutive game, nearly two more than his season average of 4.2.
And with Paul Pierce playing the role of point-forward, Allen jumped in when needed.
You know, it was funny, I think it was three minutes left, you could see he (Pierce) was getting tired, so you had Ray bringing it up a couple times, said Doc Rivers.
Ball handling, fastbreak layups - theyre not moves commonly associated with Allen. But after making the necessary adjustments, the end results very familiar to him - a win.
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