http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/2001869976_soninotes03.html

DALLAS — Ray Allen's congenial nature dissipates whenever anyone around
him mentions San Antonio guard Bruce Bowen.  

The two have had contentious encounters twice this season, and their last
meeting left the Sonics' guard seething over Bowen's rough defensive tactics
.  

"I was at a point where I wanted to fight him," Allen said after Seattle'
s 96-90 defeat at KeyArena last month. "I wasn't thinking about playing basketball
. I wanted to fight him."  

Weeks after the game, Allen reiterated his displeasure to Bowen's teammate
, Tim Duncan, at the All-Star Game. The Spurs' center asked if Bowen was
a dirty player, and Allen replied: "Hell, yeah, he's dirty."  

The two meet again tonight at SBC Center, and Allen doesn't believe in letting
bygones be bygones.  

"Yeah, it's all in the past, but if the same stuff starts happening, then
now it's in the present," he said. "I know I'll try and protect myself."
  

Allen doesn't intend to back away from Bowen, especially knowing that Duncan
won't be available because of a leg injury.  

"It's tough when you have Tim sitting inside and Bruce is playing you aggressively
," Allen said. "If you beat him, you got Tim there, so his defense is looking
pretty good. Without Tim there, it changes. Everything changes."
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