Ray Allen Still Got Game, Saves Celtics

You could forgive Ray Allen for being a little timid coming into Monday night's game against the Bulls. He did, after all, shoot an embarrassing 1-for-12 in Saturday's playoff opener.

But after an equally miserable first half, Allen made up for the absence of Kevin Garnett and overcame an outstanding performance by Chicago's Ben Gordon. The Celtics guard scored 30 points and hit a series of big shots down the stretch, including the game-winner with two seconds remaining as Boston tied up its series with the Bulls 1-1.

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Allen's performance was especially important given the sluggish nature with which Paul Pierce played most of the game, and the determined way in which Chicago attacked the defending champs following an initial Boston offensive surge.

Now, some people will ask, "Are the Celtics back?" The answer to that would be, "No, they are not." There are several reasons to think the C's may topple the Bulls in this series, though they seem a little flimsy at the moment.

Derrick Rose, Saturday's star, was relatively ineffective, scoring just just 10 points, albeit adding seven assists and six rebounds. That can be chalked up to a strong defensive effort by the Celtics, but containing Rose for the length of an entire series seems about as likely as Glen Davis averaging 26 points (his Monday total) the rest of the way home, or Rajon Rondo, whose effort should certainly be commended, posting triple-doubles every night. He threw up a ridiculous 19-point, 12-rebound, 16-assist effort in Game 2.

But then again, Gordon won't score 42 for the Bulls each time out either. Remove Gordon's game, though, and the fact remains that the Celtics needed every conceivable break to beat a Bulls team many expected them to sweep.

That's not to condemn Boston's collective effort, but as long as Garnett isn't on the floor, it seems more and more likely that the Bulls could be the team that puts their hopes of repeating to rest.

Latest NBA Playoff Photos

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard, left, is defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second quarter of Game 2 of a first-round Western Conference NBA playoff basketball game in San Antonio, Monday, April 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, left, tips a rebound over Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier during the second quarter of Game 2 of a first-round Western Conference NBA playoff basketball game in San Antonio, Monday, April 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, right, defends Dallas Mavericks forward Brandon Bass, left, during the second quarter of Game 2 of a first-round Western Conference NBA playoff basketball game in San Antonio, Monday, April 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle questions official Joe Forte during the second quarter of Game 2 of a first-round Western Conference NBA playoff basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Monday, April 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 20: Jason Terry #31 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots against Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center on April 20, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Terry;Tim Duncan

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 20: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center on April 20, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Parker

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 20: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs cheers his team on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center on April 20, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manu Ginobili

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 20: Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Roger Mason Jr. #8 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center on April 20, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roger Mason Jr.;Jason Kidd

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 20: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs hugs Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center on April 20, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tim Duncan;Tony Parker

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 20: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Matt Bonner #15 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center on April 20, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Bonner;Dirk Nowitzki

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