Ray Allen giving Miami Heat just what they expected

• Allen faced the Heat with the Celtics three times in the Eastern Conference playoffs
• At 37, Allen is in better shape than some guys a lot younger than he is
• Allen is coming through in the clutch, hitting 50 percent of his shots in the final five minutes

WASHINGTON – The Miami Heat had a good idea what they were getting in shooting guard Ray Allen.

After all, they have matched up against the 10-time All-Star when he played for the Boston Celtics in the playoffs the three previous seasons, losing to the Celtics in 2010 and beating them in 2011 and 2012. They watched Allen, the NBA's all-time leader in three-pointers made and three-pointers attempted, make 49.5% of his threes in those series.

But they really didn't know who and what they were getting until he got there and they were the beneficiaries of his shooting.

"I've always had the vision that it would it be great if he was on my team," Heat forward LeBron James said. "Just that threat, the guy who spaces the floor and can make clutch shots no matter what part of the game, no matter what the situation is."

Coming off the bench as a full-time reserve for the first time in his career, Allen is doing exactly what the Heat believed he could do when they pursued him free agency after winning last season's championship: making shots at impressive rate – 51.6% from the field, 52.6% on three-pointers and 85.1% from the foul line for 13.3 points in 26.7 minutes per game.

Not bad for a 37-year-old shooting guard. Or, maybe you should say a 37-year-old shooting guard who is in better condition than guys 10 and 15 years younger.

"I feel great," Allen said. "I'm just fortunate to still be playing. I look at it like that more than anything. Taking care of yourself puts you in a pretty good situation no matter where you end up. That's how I feel fortunate."

From the Boston Celtics to Miami, Allen has found his spot. Already, he has made three winning shots on three-pointers – against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 3, the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 24 and the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday.

Not coincidentally, all three came on assists from James. As defenses focus and collapse on James, the league MVP and a gifted passer, he has an innate ability to find the open man.

"It does surprise me sometimes how open he is," James said. "He's the greatest shooter of all-time."

In clutch time -- the period defined as the final five minutes of the game and the score within five points -- Allen is shooting 50% from the field, 41.7% on three-pointers and 83.3% on foul shots. Allen is plus-50 while on the court in 41 minutes of clutch time.

Allen said he is still finding his comfort zones on offense and defense.

"I'm learning the guys and not trying to force my way on how I've done things on them," Allen said. "It's been a pretty easy transition. But this early in the season, you're still trying to figure out different ways that you can be better. It's always a work in progress, especially if you want to be good."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is impressed with Allen's attitude, considering he is playing about 10 minutes less per game than his career average, taking fewer shots and scoring less.

"He's giving us very efficient minutes right now," Spoelstra said. "He's had to make a big adjustment, and he's made it look it easy. … I've said this time and time again. Most players aren't willing to sacrifice. He's gone from a Hall of Fame starter on a championship-contending team to 26 minutes a game, and he hasn't been caught up in any kind of personal dilemma. It's been pure. It's been 'What can I do to help the team.' "

"He's given us his Hall of Fame credentials in the fourth quarter by making big plays. … It's a tremendous weapon to have."

The Heat have another tremendous weapon at shooting guard – All-Star Dwyane Wade. Was Wade concerned that Allen might take minutes from him and make him less relevant?

"No," Wade told USA TODAY Sports. "In my position, I'm secure in who I am. It's not like we signed a player just like me. We signed a player who, when I come out of the game, can do great things for our team and he can make me better as well.

"You just have to understand what you want out of life. For me, I wanted to sign Ray just as bad as anyone because I knew he would make our team better, and I'll about team success."

While in college at Marquette, Wade got a chance to know Allen, who then played for the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I knew he was a stand-up guy. He's always been," Wade said. "Even though we battled on the court, we've always been cordial to each other."

Allen is helping the Heat win games now, and the Heat expect him to do the same in May and June when they make a run at a second consecutive title. Allen signed a two-year deal with Miami -- each of his his last three deals have been two-year agreements. He will re-evaluate how his body feels after the 2013-14 season and make a decision about his future.

"Father Time is undefeated," Allen said. "You know that day comes sooner or later."