Allen hits on parting shots

LONDON - While the spotlight was on Kevin Garnett against his former team, Ray Allen stole the show in front of his former countrymen.

Allen scored a game-high 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting in the Celtics' 92-81 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday at the O2 arena. Allen is the son of a former Air Force mechanic whose family lived in Saxmundham, England, from 1982 to 1985.

The win completed the Celtics' NBA Europe Live Tour, which began in Rome with the start of training camp Sept. 30.

"We learned firsthand on this trip, all of us, just how great London is and definitely Rome," Allen said. "It's great for me to be here with my teammates and a lot of people in the organization. But I'd like to bring my family back, my entire family, to experience England all over again."

Garnett was dealt to the Celtics July 31 for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, two first-round picks, and cash considerations. The Timberwolves now have seven ex-Celtics and started four in Telfair, Gomes, Ratliff, and Ricky Davis, who scored a team-high 18 points.

"It was just as if we were in practice," Gomes said. "I went against the same guys and the same unit every day. When you look down and look at the uniform, it was different."

Garnett had 9 points on 3-of-6 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 6 turnovers in 28 minutes, and seemed to enjoy himself against his team of 12 years.

For example, with the Celtics up, 61-48, in the third quarter, he clenched his fists and exclaimed: "Whoo!" Garnett hugged ex-Boston College star Craig Smith (7 points) when he entered the game for Minnesota, but told his new teammates Smith "can't handle the ball." Davis, who played with Garnett from 2005-07, also almost passed Garnett the ball.

"When it comes to the players and the team, I don't have hard feelings," Garnett said. "I was fortunate to come to a great organization right here in Boston. I'm just focusing on what's in front of me and the team I'm on now. The past is the past. I'm viewing this as a new chapter in my life."

Said Davis: "Throughout my years playing in the NBA, you always saw [Garnett] in the white and blue. It was definitely a different experience seeing Kevin in green."

Among those in the crowd of 18,689 was Celtics legend Bill Russell, who declined comment, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, and Chelsea FC soccer star Didier Drogba, who hugged Garnett after the game.

Ski Austin, the NBA's senior vice president of events and attractions, said Celtics officials said they enjoyed the trip and wouldn't mind doing it again. The collective bargaining agreement stipulates that an NBA team cannot have such a trip two years in a row.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers is scheduled to give his players today off after they were expected to arrive home early this morning. The team is scheduled to have a short practice tomorrow, be off on Saturday, which is Paul Pierce's 30th and Rivers's 46th birthday, and practice Sunday afternoon. The next exhibition game is Wednesday against visiting the Knicks.

"The best thing is we don't play again until Wednesday, so that helps us," Rivers said.

Pierce, who scored 8 points yesterday on 1-of-6 shooting, said, "It's kind of hitting me. I'm losing my voice. It's good to get back home in my own bed. We've been traveling for a long time. I had fun on this trip. We got things done that we need to get done. Now we can head back to the States and get ready for the season."

NBA commissioner David Stern spoke on a variety of subjects before the game. When asked about the Tim Donaghy incident and the gambling issue, Stern said the league is analyzing 60 meetings with referees and he will have more to say before the regular season after talking to the owners Oct. 24-25.

"Based upon all the information we have, I strongly view that Donaghy was an isolated incident," Stern said. "With respect to the officiating department itself, we continue to improve it. We have hired an assistant director of officials to work with our crew chiefs to help make them better teachers to deal with some of the concerns that our officiating staff have expressed privately to me. We think we will be in pretty good shape."

On Knicks coach Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden being found liable in a sexual harassment case, Stern said: "I think that it's fair to say, and I said then, that's going into consideration [for disciplinary action]."

Celtics swingman James Posey is suspended for the season opener against the Wizards after he pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless driving, stemming from an arrest last April in Miami. Posey was not driving and entered the plea because he wanted the matter settled as he headed into free agency.

Stern said the NBA disciplined Posey because of the plea and "undisputed facts."

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com