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.

As Rajon Rondo dribbles the basketball up, Ray Allen sets a backscreen for Paul Pierce.  Look at how far off Dwyane Wade is slouching off of him.

As Pierce comes off of the Allen screen, Wade is still way too far off of Allen.  Allen, being the veteran that he is, quickly pops out and makes himself available for a pass.

Rondo hits Allen, and he pulls a three.  Dwyane Wade is so far off of him that he is unable to close out, and Allen knocks down the dagger.