BOSTON -- Even with his nagging injury, the Philadelphia 76ers have not backed off of Ray Allen during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
He has faced double teams and intense pressure when the ball is in his hands in spite of the fact that he is already hampered by his ankle. The 76ers have done the same to Paul Pierce, who is also battling a knee injury.
As a result of defensive efforts and health challenges, Allen is averaging just 8.4 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from long range. Pierce scored just seven points in Game 2 of the series, averaging 17.0 points (38.6 FG, 36.8 3PG) overall.
With Allen and Pierce limited offensively, the Celtics have turned their bigs in what Allen dubbed a Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett series.
Garnett posted double-doubles in the first three games of the series and is averaging 20.0 points and 10.6 rebounds. In the Celtics Game 5 victory on Monday, Bass scored a postseason career-high 27 points, including 22 in the second half.
They just are doing everything they can to me and Paul to keep us from having any impact on the offensive end, Allen said after Game 5. Typical defensive stunts they typically make, theyre not making it so what were trying to do -- me more so than anybody, trying to put me in good positions where guys can utilize their lack of help coming off my man.
Anywhere Im on the floor, theres always a gap, so were trying to utilize that. With Paul, theyre double-teaming, both of us theyre double-teaming, and pick-and-rolls. Thats where Kevins wide open, Brandons wide open, and (Rajon) Rondo can get in those gaps. We cant hold on to the ball. We have to make those quick passes and we allow the next guy to be a playmaker.
Boston Celtics
As the Celtics look to wrap up the series in Game 6 on Wednesday in Philadelphia, the veteran squad understands it doesnt matter who scores as long as they get the win. Their offense starts with their defense, a foundation the entire squad is committed to.
We dont worry about the offensive end- we create it with the defense, said Allen. Here in this particular situation, were not really worried about whos scoring, whos doing whatever on the floor. Its just, lets win the game. We know our plays, we know the sequence of plays we need to run.
With that, right now this is a Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett series. Rondo understands it. Me and Paul understand it. Were making whatever plays we need to make to get those guys shots and they end up being the playmakers. Theyve done a great job of it.