Celtics guard Ray Allen was hampered by foul trouble in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, something he hopes to avoid as the series progresses.

Allen had five fouls and made just three field goals.

"It was frustrating. For sure it was frustrating," Allen said. "I've anticipated this moment since the last time we were here. So you figure, last year losing in the second round, wanting to get back here, thinking about the summertime and then playing the whole season and having a great playoffs, playoffs as a team. And then getting into the game we waited six or seven days. So it wasn't my intention."

Allen has been assigned to guard Kobe Bryant, a four-time NBA champion, but he fouled as a help defender as well.

"He got the one on (Derek) Fisher, he got the reach-in foul on (Pau) Gasol," coach Doc Rivers said. "Those are the fouls that Ray has to avoid himself to stay on the floor. He can't commit those fouls."