Where was Tony Allen?

[WedmanIsMyHero]

Apologies if this is already answered, but where was Tony Allen in Game 5?  Besides Rondo, he is the best perimeter defender on the Celtics and they had enormous problems closing out the Magic's shooters in Game 5.  Seems like lots of energetic defense from Allen could have gone a long way.  Did he end up in Rivers' doghouse again?

[Chris]

He has a bum ankle, and has lost a step defensively.  He hasn't really been able to keep anyone in front of him the last few games, making him pretty much useless.

[WedmanIsMyHero]

This seems to yet again expose a pretty serious problem, structurally (by structurally I mean both for this playoffs and beyond).  Why don't the Celtics have more athletic swing players who can play defense?

Anyways, is there a way, without Tony Allen, for the Celtics to effectively defend against the perimeter game of the Magic?

He has a bum ankle, and has lost a step defensively.  He hasn't really been able to keep anyone in front of him the last few games, making him pretty much useless.

[Prof. Clutch]

He has a bum ankle, and has lost a step defensively.  He hasn't really been able to keep anyone in front of him the last few games, making him pretty much useless.

Absolutely right.  One of the little mentioned things here the last two games has been Tony and Rondo being slowed by injuries.  It's not an excuse, but it may explain why both have seemed a little off.

[WedmanIsMyHero]

I think that's crucial and underplayed, since perimeter defense is what gives the Celtics the ability to shut down Orlando.

He has a bum ankle, and has lost a step defensively.  He hasn't really been able to keep anyone in front of him the last few games, making him pretty much useless.

Absolutely right.  One of the little mentioned things here the last two games has been Tony and Rondo being slowed by injuries.  It's not an excuse, but it may explain why both have seemed a little off.