Celtics G Allen named to East All-Star team

Feb 5, 2009 - 11:21 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen is headed to the NBA All-Star Game after all.

Allen was named to the Eastern Conference team Thursday, replacing Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson, who is sidelined with a torn labrum.

The announcement came two days after Allen hit a game-winning 3-pointer with less than a second remaining to give the Celtics a 100-99 victory in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The addition of Allen, who will be appearing in his ninth All-Star contest, means that all members of the Celtics' "Big Three" will be playing in his year's game in Phoenix on February 15.

Boston forward Kevin Garnett was named a starter while Celtics forward Paul Pierce was voted into the game as a reserve.

Allen was left off the initial All-Star roster despite averaging 18.1 points per game - the second-best mark for the defending champions.

Allen scored 28 points in last year's All-Star Game in New Orleans and was narrowly beaten out for the game's MVP award by LeBron James.

The Celtics (41-9) boast the NBA's best record and take a 12-game winning streak into Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers.