Whenever Ray Allen steps on the floor of the XL Center in Hartford, success just seems to follow.
As a member of a the University of Connecticut Huskies during the mid 90s, the nine-time all star never came out on the losing end on his home court, compiling a 26-0 record.
The future hall of fame shooting guard added victory No. 27 on Wednesday, this time as a member of the Boston Celtics as they defeated the Toronto Raptors 106-90 in exhibition play.
Box Score: Raptors vs. Celtics
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 17, Kevin Garnett added 16 and Allen had eight as Boston won for the fourth time this preseason.
Chris Bosh scored a game-high 21 and point guards Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack each had 12 for the Raptors, but of greater concern to Toronto may be the left foot injury sustained by power forward Reggie Evans.
One of the main offseason acquisitions by Raptors general manager, Bryan Colangelo after a disappointing 33-49 campaign, Evans collided with the Celtics’ Marquis Daniels in the second quarter as the two were coming down from a rebound in the Boston end.
The gritty Evans appeared to injure his left foot on the play and had to be helped to the dressing room by team trainers. He did not return.
Toronto missed the presence of Evans on the boards, as they were outrebounded by Boston 44-32.
Despite Bosh’s 20 points at halftime, the Raptors still trailed the Celtics 51-46 going into the third. A three-pointer by Kendrick Perkins and another one by Pierce at 9:26 opened up an eight point lead for Boston.
A Rajon Rondo jumper at 4:05 after a Bosh turnover gave the Celtics a 77-64 lead and though Calderon attempted to keep it close by scoring seven in the quarter, Boston out pointed Toronto 32-25 in the third and went in the final quarter, holding a 12-point lead.
Hedo Turkoglu, making his preseason debut with the Raptors, played 22 minutes and scored six points on 3-of-6 shooting, with five rebounds.
Toronto will be back at the Air Canada Centre Thursday to take on the Houston Rockets, while the Celtics will have to wait until Sunday for their next preseason game, a rematch with the host Raptors.