WALTHAM, Mass. — E’Twaun Moore had about as much impact in the first two games of the playoffs as Celtics fans will have Friday night at the TD Garden. Just like the Boston faithful will in Game 3, Moore observed and supported the guys in green, but did not step foot on the court in Games 1 and 2.
That may be Moore’s only role in the series, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers predicted in the final week of the season that the rookie combo guard would contribute to a playoff win somewhere down the line. If the bone spurs in Ray Allen‘s right ankle continue to cause problems and the rest of the Celtics’ long-range shooters continue to clang away from beyond the arc, Moore’s opportunity could come soon.
“Besides just working on my game, I’m trying to be attentive of what’s going on,” Moore said. “Knowing situations while I’m watching games, seeing the plays the other team likes to run.”
Moore stayed after the team’s shootaround on Friday morning for about 20 minutes taking extra jumpers. All 15 active players, including Allen, took part in the shootaround. The players reviewed their own halfcourt sets and Atlanta’s, so Allen did not test the ankle by running up and down the court. He remained a game-time decision for Game 3.
In Allen’s absence, the Celtics would first turn to Mickael Pietrus and Keyon Dooling, as usual. As Marquis Daniels proved by playing 15 crucial minutes in Game 2, though, an unexpected player may be thrust into duty, which is where Moore could fit in.
Moore shot 37 percent from three during the regular season and was a career 38-percent 3-point shooter in four seasons at Purdue. The Celtics shot 3-for-25 from deep in the first two games combined and missed their first 19 3-point attempts in the series before Dooling hit one with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter of Game 2.
The Celtics are hopeful Allen can suit up for the first time in more than three weeks on Friday, but if he cannot Moore will be ready, just in case.
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