Where would the Miami Heat be without Ray Allen? The old man proved that at 37, he still has game.
Allen saved the Heat’s season with a clutch 3-pointer during a mad scramble with 5.2 seconds left that tied the game at 95. The San Antonio Spurs had a 5-point lead (94-89) with 22 seconds left and seemed like a lock to win the title. But LeBron James hit a three, and then the Heat fouled Kawhi Leonard. Leonard missed one of two free throws to keep it a 1-possession game.
After making the previous 3-pointer, James decided to try his hand at one again. He missed and, with Tim Duncan on the bench, Chris Bosh was able to grab the offensive board and find Allen, who stepped back into the corner for the wild three. Jesus Shuttlesworth then made the shot of the series to send the game to OT, where Miami won 103-100.
The officials reviewed the play to see if Allen was behind the line when he attempted his three, and there was no doubt:
Allen has hit many clutch shots during his special career, but he says this is one of his best moments.
“It’s going to be a shot that I remember for a long time,” Allen said after the game, per Ethan J. Skolnick of The Palm Beach Post. “This will go high up in the ranks because of the situation.”
And you ready for a great stat? How’s this:
Ray Allen hit his 5th game-tying or go-ahead 3-pt FG in the final 10 seconds of the 4th quarter or OT, most in the past 15 postseasons.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 19, 2013
