Difficult to find Ray of hope in this ending

It’s not often that Ray Allen is able to have it both ways, and ultimately, neither end of the floor fell into line for the Celtics [team stats] guard yesterday.

Allen guarded Kobe Bryant so well that the Lakers star shot 8-for-20 and turned the ball over four times. But Bryant also hit the decisive basket in the Celtics’ 90-89 loss, followed by Allen’s miss on a game-closing 3-point attempt.

“He got a great look,” coach Doc Rivers said of the final play, in which Paul Pierce [stats] looped a cross-court pass to Allen on the left side. “They did a good job on Paul on that play, and that’s why Ray got the shot. Coming out of the pick-and-roll with Ray and Paul, either Paul was going to get the good look or Ray was going to get the good look. I’ll take either one.”

Allen could only shrug after the loss.

“I had a good look,” he said. “I think maybe I rushed it a little bit, but I did have a good look.”

Tony award

Tony Allen’s first half, in which the reserve guard scored 12 of his 14 points and successfully stepped in for Ray Allen to take over the responsibility of guarding Bryant - was probably his best of the season.

He also finished with two steals and three rebounds, and shot 6-of-9 from the floor - most of his work off drives.

But Rivers chose offense down the stretch, and went with Ray Allen in the closing minutes.

“I thought he was getting too fast,” Rivers said of Tony Allen. “You’ve got to always make a decision: Ray or Tony. Most of the time you go with Ray, especially in the fourth quarter. Ray has proven - he didn’t tonight - but time and time again (he has proven) that he’s a fourth-quarter player, and that’s why you want him in the game.”

Tony Allen, despite another strong game, wasn’t in the mood for praise.

“Ain’t no moral victories. We have to get it done,” he said. “This ain’t no Tony Allen got his thing going - it’s about the Celtics and the Lakers.”

Prove it

The Lakers, as predicted, gave the outside shot to Rajon Rondo [stats], who, per usual, was inconsistent from the perimeter. That won’t change even if Rondo starts shooting like Ray Allen, according to Rivers.

“This is the NBA,” Rivers said. “They’re going to make you show them for three years. (Portland’s) Andre Miller had 52 last night. Tomorrow they’re going to leave him wide open.” . . .

J.R. Giddens, recalled from the Maine Red Claws on Saturday for the dispiriting reason that he needs surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, said he plans to go under the knife early this week.

He has been told to expect a four-week recovery period from the relatively minor arthroscopic surgery, though that’s not so minor a consideration where his chances of scoring a spot in the Celtics [team stats]’ rotation is concerned.

The Celtics, as evidenced by their sick-bay record, just might need the help over the last month.

“I can’t control it,” said Giddens, who injured the knee landing from a dunk. “But I can handle it. Like I’ve always said, the hardest transition to make into this league is mental, not physical.” . . .

Yesterday’s loss officially eliminated Rivers from a chance at coaching the Eastern Conference All-Stars on Feb. 14. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy clinched the honor with Orlando’s win over the Pistons last night.