BOSTON – Ray Allen exchanged daggers with Ben Gordon down the stretch, powering the Boston Celtics to a 118-115 win over Chicago in game two of their National Basketball Association playoff series.

Allen, who snapped his shooting slump on Monday, made a tiebreaking three-pointer with two seconds left and finished with 30 points as the Celtics levelled the first round series at one game each.

Gordon nearly carried Chicago to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. He scored with 12.3 seconds left to tie it, and had a playoff career-high 42 points.

Then Boston set up a play for Allen, who took a pass from Rajon Rondo and connected from the right side.

"We had me come back to the top," Allen said. "I was open and was just thinking let's get the ball in my hands."

Allen had just four points on one-for-12 shooting in Boston's 105-103 overtime loss on Saturday.

The next two games of the series are scheduled for Chicago on Thursday and Sunday.

"We are excited about going to Chicago," he said.

Allen said he looks forward to facing Gordon.

"It is a great challenge because he is such a tough player," Allen said.