It seemed as if there was a different face each game of the Celtics-Heat series.
In Game 1 it was Tony Allen, who had been cast to the outskirts of the Celtics rotation during the season pondering how he had gotten there and if he’d be able to work his way back with the team adding so many new players. He was the one that embraced the role of star stopper, fanning Dwyane Wade’s flames while also scoring 14 points off the bench.
For Game 2 it was Glen Davis, eager to start after basking in the playoff limelight a year ago. With Kevin Garnett suspended, the understudy stepped in and stole the show.
In Game 3, it was Paul Pierce, drilling a buzzer-beater for the win.
Last night, with the Celtics trying to send the Heat on vacation, the wheel spun and the arrow landed on Ray Allen. From the start of the series, he had drawn the short stick, given the task of guarding Wade. But he responded by going for at least 20 points each game.
Last night Allen scored 24 points, pouring in 20 in the second half as he played the role of reaper in the Celtics’ 96-86 Game 5 series-clinching win.
If there was a difference between Wade and Allen, however, it was that Allen could play knowing he had weapons around him, while Wade was forced to be a one-man army.
“We had a multitude of guys that stepped up and played well for us,’’ Allen said. “I know on their end, they were counting on Wade the whole time and he had to carry a huge load the whole time. So if he wasn’t on, they were looking for a second or third option.’’
The Celtics’ next test will be a Cleveland Cavaliers team that was Boston’s rival and measuring stick during the regular season.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra knew the task that awaited his team before the series started. When the Celtics were healthy, Spoelstra saw a team with too many weapons and too many veterans. When he and Celtics coach Doc Rivers had a chance to talk, he told Rivers, “Boy, it was a battle getting your team healthy, but I think you’ve finally got a healthy team to coach.’’
“They understand the moment,’’ Spoelstra said. “They’ve had injuries. Everyone discounts that, but that’s a big part of an NBA season.’’
Dropping 46 points on his home floor with his mother and girlfriend in the crowd in Game 4, Wade did what everyone expected he’d do at some point in the series: win a game by himself. But the supporting cast that had given Wade so much help Sunday afternoon all but abandoned him last night. Quentin Richardson went 2 of 8 from the floor. Michael Beasley missed all three of his first half shots and never saw the floor in the second.
