Many forget, but before becoming a member of the Celtics’ “Big Three” and then being a quality replacement with the Heat, Ray Allen (47 years old today) was an incredible scorer, at the Bucks then at the Sonics. By posting no less than 24.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 interceptions on average (44% in shots, 39% in 3pts and 90% in throws), in four and a half seasons in Seattle!
Mainly supported by Rashard Lewis, one of the pioneers of the role of “stretch-four”, “Ray-Ray” has also established his career points record (54) under the tunic of the Supersonics. More precisely on January 12, 2007, during the reception of Jazz at the KeyArena, in a meeting which was decided after extension.
That evening, then at the heart of his best season on the individual level (26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 interceptions on average), Ray Allen took advantage of the absence of Rashard Lewis to card the defenders of Utah. Scoring a whopping 54 points in 43 minutes (with 10 rebounds and 5 assists), 17/32 to shoot, 8-/12 to 3pts and 12/12 to throws!
A real offensive eruption from the now Hall of Famer, absolutely vital for his team. And that was needed to snatch the victory, at the end of the suspense, against the Jazz of Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur. Incidentally one of the best franchises in the West (4th), while the Sonics were 14th in this same conference.
To come back to the game, and only to the game, it was not until the second quarter that Ray Allen, first embarrassed by the faults in the first, finally heats up: 17 points (3-3 to 3pts)! At that point, Utah’s outsiders sensed the night was going to be tough on defense. An impression that was confirmed in the third quarter (11 points), then especially in the fourth: 18 points (4-5 to 3pts)!
It should also be noted that it was an award-winning basket from the All-Star rear, 8 seconds from the end, which allowed Seattle to hang the extension (108-108). And these five extra minutes then helped the sniper to reach the 50 point mark, to finally stop at 54. While validating the victory of his team, therefore (122-114).