Cavs: Jarrett Allen should be set to rebound at ATL on Sunday

In the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ last game versus the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, the Wine and Gold were rusty, and mightily struggled for much of it.

They were coming off a nine-day layoff from the All-Star break, sure, and reintegrating Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. back into the lineup, but them losing 116-82 was well…far from ideal.

Darius Garland (left groin strain) was not active in that contest, which was obviously to the club’s detriment, given him being invaluable, though. But fortunately, it appears that Garland should be back in Cleveland’s next game; he’s reportedly probable.

Nonetheless, it was clear that Jarrett Allen in that one had a rough outing, and likely had his worst performance with Cleveland since being acquired via trade in mid-January from the Brooklyn Nets.

Now, again, I’m not going to grill him, nor other Cavs, particularly, with the squad having rust in that one, and Love/Nance getting back into the swing of things; Love was only in 10 minutes, for what it’s worth.

With Allen, though, he had issues with the burly Steven Adams against New Orleans, and offensively, albeit Garland’s absence had some to do with it, but he couldn’t get it going much and only had five points on two-of-six shooting. He did have three blocks, on the plus side.

On Sunday versus the Atlanta Hawks, I’d expect Allen to bounce back, however, as he did do a solid job in Cleveland’s last game against them a few weeks back.

Allen should be set to rebound at the Hawks on Sunday.

For Allen, Atlanta has a highly productive roller/rebounder in Clint Capela as the primary matchup, and Clint is a viable rim protector, sure. But this is the kind of matchup that Allen, as opposed to on-ball against Adams and/or on the defensive glass, has had issues with.

Along with the matchup against a Hawks squad that the Cavs have had success against this season, Allen should benefit from Garland seemingly having a good chance of being back. The connection between those two in the pick-and-roll, both in the pull-up realm for DG, and for Allen to have lobs, should have a key impact here I believe.

In the last Cleveland W versus Atlanta, for further context in that realm largely, too, Allen had 13 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Capela had his share of success, conversely, in that one as well, but again, it was clear that Allen was a key factor in that prior W for Cleveland, and I’d expect that to be the case again on Sunday.

Having the likes of Kevin Love, though it’d appear still in a small minutes-share, could help a bit for Allen, but more so Larry Nance Jr. (fractured left hand) being back, who is a more meaningful playmaking presence with Love still working his way back from a grade 2 right calf strain/reaggravation, should.

I’d expect there to be more consistent man/ball movement than in Friday’s game, anyhow. With Allen, anyway, while Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, John Collins and the Hawks will be a test on the defensive end, as we know, Allen’s rim protection should have more of an impact here I believe. That’s as opposed to against Adams/Zion Williamson and the Pels.

And in terms of the offensive end, again, I’d expect Allen to do what he’s typically done for the Cavs in prior games.

Moreover, I wouldn’t read too much into the Friday loss for Cleveland in a general sense, as the Cavs were clearly rusty, didn’t have Garland, and guys clearly were out of sync. I’m not completely glossing over it, and it’s evident that Allen does have some issues against burly 5’s, but that’s not a matchup that’s all that typical, and still offensively, he often does have more than fine in his role.

And against Capela, that should be an interesting matchup to watch on Sunday, albeit overall, I’d imagine we’ll see the ultra-efficient, and very productive Allen that is giving the Cavs energy, and deflecting/altering his share of shots.

That sort of thing could factor into Cleveland getting back on track Sunday, with other guys seemingly back. We’ll have to see, though.

Anyhow, in a general sense, I’d look for Allen to legitimately bounce back here and make his presence felt throughout.