MIAMI — The only thing that was determined Tuesday night at American­­­­­­Airlines Arena was that the Heat are a better team than the Celtics in October. That means little besides bragging rights for Ray Allen.

Allen got the best of his former teammates with 19 smooth points in 31 minutes as Miami led nearly the entire way and beat the Celtics, 120-107. But in the long run, the result may be exactly what Boston needs to understand the rigors of not only returning to prominence but of beating the Heat.