3 Cavaliers who should feast vs. the Knicks – No. 3: Jarrett Allen
Last but not least, Jarrett Allen should be primed for a quality series here against the Knicks. This season, Allen didn’t have quite the offensive splits he had last season, with the arrival of Mitchell, and with others feasibly involved more, as compared to the year prior.
Still, Allen averaged nearly a double-double at 14.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest, and his defensive impact was an immense one for Cleveland’s top-ranked defense.
What’s something to keep in mind pertaining to this Knicks matchup has been how Allen was very sharp in his two games against them in the regular season as well. Julius Randle was not involved in Cleveland’s last game versus New York, sure, but Allen was out then, too, and another outing versus them earlier in the season.
As we were getting into, the Fro had 15.0 points and 12.5 rebounds per outing in his two games against the Knicks this season, and Cleveland outscored New York by 20 points in those 65 minutes.
It was the regular season, and just two games, but it’s some more reason to be optimistic about this matchup, factoring in Allen’s chemistry with Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, and his budding connection with Caris LeVert. Allen and Mobley had their share of big-to-big feeds to one another in recent months, too, and while he’s not Mobley as a passer, Allen has shown development over the course of his time with the Cavs as a ball-mover and decision-maker, particularly out of the short roll.
Allen did some miss time in the closing stretch of the season with an eye contusion and later a groin strain, but he did play a bit in Cleveland’s regular season finale, and seems ready to roll.
While Mitchell Robinson and former Cav Isaiah Hartenstein, his backup, are formidable rim protectors and paint defenders, both are players Allen, Mitchell and company could get into foul trouble. Either way, however, with Allen’s rolling and diving expertise, and his improved touch, this is a series where he should be primed for plenty of success.