Cavs: Contributions from Isaiah Hartenstein are needed this week

At the moment, Jarrett Allen still is likely somewhat banged up, and will be for a bit, as he recently suffered a concussion. Due to that, Allen was not active in the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ heartbreaking last-second loss on Saturday at the Sacramento Kings.

With Allen’s situation, even if/when he’s back this week, it’s evident that Cleveland should be giving recent trade acquisition Isaiah Hartenstein some burn.

I’d expect Hartenstein to get his share of backup 5 run, when he’s ultimately in the fold for the Cavs here, too, regardless of what Cleveland does as far as a signing or two to seemingly come soon.

Hartenstein hasn’t had much meaningful NBA burn in his first 2.5ish seasons, with the Houston Rockets in his first two years and during this season, with the Denver Nuggets. Hartenstein did have a bit more of a role with Denver pre-deadline, though, and in 9.1 minutes per outing in 30 appearances with the Nuggets this season, had 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

And he has looked to be a more than capable roller/screener and lob threat, and has shown nice touch inside of 10 or so feet when he’s had opportunities, and has been a legitimate rim protecting presence. His 2.1 blocks per-36 minutes in his career thus far have indicated that, and he’s had 2.6 blocks per-36 thus far in 2020-21.

In Cavaliers upcoming games this week, and even more so with Allen seemingly somewhat banged up, Hartenstein should get some real burn.

The Cavs will need contributions from Hartenstein in their matchups this week, too, but it’s clearly a tough slate.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have tough matchups this week, beginning with them taking on the Utah Jazz on Monday to conclude their road trip, then facing the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday and then taking on the Miami Heat in South Beach on Saturday.

Firstly, with again Allen banged up, taking on Rudy Gobert and the first-place Jazz, to go with Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles and company will be rough for Cleveland as a group generally, but the Cavs could use some energy from Hartenstein in that one in spurts.

In Hartenstein’s case, we could see him have some matchups going against Derrick Favors in reserve burn, for what it’s worth. Albeit overall, if Hartenstein could generate some extra possessions for the Cavs, be an active roller and/or be a formidable presence defensively in the paint, that could at least provide a lift in a really tough matchup.

The Cavaliers will need all the contributions they can get in that one, anyhow, even with it being a rough matchup, one would think, either way. But Hartenstein making his presence felt in his first game for Cleveland would be meaningful for him and the bench.

From there, while Joel Embiid is still set to be sidelined, the Sixers do have a stout defense, and Dwight Howard is still a capable 5 inside and defensively, he is still valuable. Hartenstein could again provide some of a lift in relief of Allen in that one, though.

And him perhaps helping in wearing down Howard, or perhaps forcing a few fouls with his tenacity on the offensive glass/as a diver, could be crucial in aiding Cleveland in that game in a potential W. So if the opportunities arise, that’s something to look out for, for example, from the Cleveland Cavaliers’ other current 22-year-old 5 man.

Lastly, in regards to the Miami game, in what’s always an especially tough game, and even more so at Miami, where the Cavs haven’t won in forever, Hartenstein helping Allen out some against Bam Adebayo and Miami’s driving threats is something that needs to play out, to me.

If Hartenstein is able to play big inside and/or provide Cleveland with some energy minutes defensively, perhaps versus Precious Achiuwa a bit, that could aid the Cavs in making a few runs in that one, and have Allen fresher to help the Cavs’ chances in the fourth quarter.

We’ll have to see if it gets to that point, however. But clearly, Cleveland’s 5s/bigs in that matchup will need to help Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and the perimeter pieces against Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and recent trade acquisition Victor Oladipo, who are all good drivers.

Moreover, hopefully Allen is fine soon. Hartenstein, either way, should have his chances this week, and the Cavs will need contributions from him in his burn, even while there will likely be some initial rust with new teammates for him.