Insider provides latest on Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.
Jarrett Allen missed the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. He also missed the team’s victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. He is dealing with a rib injury. Without him on the court, the Cavaliers lack explosiveness and rim pressure.
According to Shams Charania, who was speaking on FanDuel TV’s ‘Run it Back,’ Allen is uncomfortable with his injury, and there is no guarantee he will return to the rotation in the near future.
“He hasn’t been feeling comfortable at all with that rib contusion,” Charania said. “…There hasn’t been much optimism that he was going to play last night, we’ll see in the games to come if there is. They’re already down 1-0…Beating Boston in this series, that’s going to be a tough hill for them to climb.”
With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined due to a right soleus strain, the Cavaliers’ best chance at testing Boston’s resolve was with their size and explosiveness around the rim. Allen’s ability to provide a vertical lob threat is what opens driving lanes for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Without him in the rotation, the Celtics can adjust their pick-up points and stifle Cleveland’s perimeter-based actions.
If Allen can return to J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotation, he will undoubtedly improve the Cavaliers’ chances of success. However, the Celtics are a championship favorite for a reason. They’re one of the best teams in the NBA. They look dominant to begin the playoffs. And they’re still waiting for Jayson Tatum to find his scoring touch.
The Cavaliers already have their backs against the wall. Whether Allen can help change that remains to be seen. Nevertheless, Cleveland’s greatest chance of pushing the Celtics into deep waters is with a fully healthy roster. Anything less, and it could be looking at an early exit from their second-round series.
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