Ray Allen’s three point shooting was a very important aspect of the Heat-Celtics series that ended last night.  This postseason, Allen is shooing 19-36 from the three point line (good for 52.8%).  Allen is a tremendous outside shooter, and he is going to knock a few threes down, but the Heat were leaving him wide open on attempts, and that is a major factor in Allen shooting so good from deep.  It happened again in Game 5, where the Heat fought all the way back to make this a close game, only to let Ray Allen shoot the Celtics to a win.

A couple things here.  The rotation starts on Ray Allen’s initial drive, and the Heat do a great job of rotating and cutting off any penetration throughout the possession.  However, when the pass gets made to Kevin Garnett, two defenders run at him, leaving Ray Allen open.  At his age, Kevin Garnett isn’t a threat 1 step in from the three point line, but the Heat run at him like he is, and this allows for Garnett to toss it to Allen who knocks down the wide open three.

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The Bulls were fighting for their playoff lives, and they were able to keep Game 5 close throughout the 4th quarter, but while the Bulls were working hard, it was really what the Cavs weren’t doing that kept the game close.  For instance, up by 6 points LeBron James got the ball with Joakim Noah covering him on a switch:

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