Ray Allen checked into his first game as a member of the Miami Heat with 2:45 left in the first quarter of the team’s season-opening game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
Allen, who spent five season with the Celtics but had a bad breakup as he chose to sign with the rival team, tried to give a warm greeting to his former team. He gave handshakes to his former coaches, and even embraced head coach Doc Rivers for a hug. But when he tried to give a handshake and some love to Kevin Garnett, he was ignored.
Garnett deep down probably has love for his former teammate, but he is all business when he gets on the court. His refusal to acknowledge Allen is also no surprise given his comments about his former teammate last month.
Allen hit a three-pointer a minute after entering the game, and he heard “We love Ray” chants after going to the free throw line in the final minute of the quarter. He finished with 19 points in the Heat’s 120-107 win. He was 5-for-7 from the field including 2-of-3 on three-pointers, and 7-for-8 on free throws.
Allen didn’t seem to be hurt by Garnett giving him the cold shoulder.
“That’s just KG. He probably didn’t even see me coming because his head’s down the whole time on the bench,” Allen told TNT’s Craig Sager after the game.
“I love those guys. I played with them for five years — we won a championship together. I can’t say enough good things about them and about the city of Boston.”
