By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI (AP) — Ray Allen is returning to the Miami Heat next season.
Allen exercised his $3.2 million player option Friday, barely a week after the Heat finished off the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Finals in seven games. Allen made one of the biggest shots in Heat history, a 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in Game 6 of the finals to tie the game and force an overtime where Miami ultimately prevailed.
Allen turns 38 next month, yet still played in 102 games during the regular season and playoffs for Miami. That was the most appearances by any player in the league this past season.
Allen averaged 10.9 points in the regular season, and 10.2 points in the playoffs for the Heat.