Your Morning Dump... Where Ray makes 145 FTs

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Allen said he got up 150 free-throw attempts on Monday after enduring only the 14th game in his career -- regular-season and postseason combined -- where he missed three free throws or more. Not only that, but he missed three in a row in Game 4.

After Allen missed his final three attempts, Kevin Garnett clanked two more, preventing Boston from charging closer than four points in the final minutes. Allen has only missed three free throws or more in 12 of 1,022 regular-season games. He hadn't missed three freebies in a row since Feb. 10, 2007 and hadn't missed three consecutive from the charity stripe since a playoff game between the Spurs and Sonics on May 17, 2005.

"I hadn't shot that many in a while," said Allen, who reported he kept count of the 150 attempts and missed only five. "The thing about it is, I had such a bad rhythm [in Miami], I just trying to figure out where it came from."

ESPN Boston - Practice Report

I'm willing to bet Ray was one pissed off dude after missing those free throws. I wouldn't be surprised if he took a 5-iron to some priceless vase sitting in his foyer (Sorry honey, I accidentally knocked it over with my luggage).

On Page 2, why Paul Pierce is talking about Nomar.

“I really try not to think about it too much,” Pierce said. “My whole thing is that I want to retire as a Celtic. And if they get into a rebuilding phase . . . I don’t know.

“Who knows what’s going to happen? Who knows what’s going to happen with Doc (Rivers, the C’s coach)? That’s a good question, man. I don’t know. I do want to retire a Celtic, regardless of if I have to go the Nomar Garciaparra route or whatever.”

“I think I’m at a point in my career where it would be tough for me to go into a full-on rebuilding phase,” Pierce said. “That’d be tough just mentally and physically. I can’t see myself doing that anymore. That’s why this is so important.

“I want to be a Celtic and win championships.”

Herald - Paul Pierce opts for present

Boy oh boy, Danny Ainge is going to have some tough decisions to make this off-season. Bring back Ray? Sign Pierce to an extension? It's too early in the morning for such heavy discussion.

The rest of the links:

Globe - Cs have sense of urgency now | Heat have outside shot | Herald - Single victory won't satisfy Heat fans | Cs try to pull plug on Wade | CSNNE - Q up the defense | Heat/Cs preview | WEEI - Maybe Wyc can help slow Wade | Ray finishes 3rd for sportsmanship award | ESPN Boston - Eager to atone |