“It’s difficult to stay consistent when you’re unhealthy and plugging and playing guys, especially at key spots,” Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickertstaff said prior to Sunday night’s primetime showdown against the Toronto Raptors about having his usual starting lineup of Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen for the third straight game.
The streak ended Sunday unfortunately, as Cavaliers All-Star big man Jarrett Allen went down with what was originally diagnosed as a left quadriceps contusion. Following the 104-96 win over the Raptors, it was reported that, in addition to Allen’s injured quad, he would be out indefinitely with a fractured finger.
Allen, 23, has been averaging 16.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game this season. What does not show up in the numbers, however, is his ability to affect the game without the ball in his hands.
He is responsible for setting strong high screens for Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland, who is in the midst of taking his game to another level. While rookie big man Evan Mobley is still a threat for alley-oops, Allen’s strength in his screens make it very difficult for defenders to push through, causing some switches for opposing defenses and easier matchups for Garland to exploit.
For Mobley, it’s all about the next man up mentality.
“He’s a big part of our offense,” Mobley said after the game. “He’s like the center of our offense and we just really had to shift down. [I play] more center. I feel like it’s a different way of playing. It’s not worse or better, it’s just different on how we have to execute plays.”
With Allen reportedly out indefinitely as well as guard Rajon Rondo and wing Caris LeVert still on the mend, the Cavs need healthy bodies coming back as soon as possible, while adjusting until the cavalry arrives.
