The Cavs Core Four: Evaluating their Game 3 performances

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrett Allen’s Game 3

Six points. Five rebounds. Two blocks. Three shots.

That was Jarrett Allen’s stat line in the Game 3 loss. That is unacceptable for an All-Star big man that is getting paid $100 million. To top it off, he had the worst plus-minus of any Cavs starter with a measly -26. He was almost nonexistent in the paint on both ends of the floor. Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstien had their way with him every time down the court.

Allen also never established himself on offense, as he never demanded the ball and almost looked scared to make a scoring push. He was outworked on the glass and on the defensive end. A big man that prides himself on his defensive ability, did not come to play. Now you have Robinson saying the Cavs were “shook up” and that they could not meet the challenge of the Garden.

After a dud like that, Allen has to respond. The same way he set the tone physically in Game 2, he must do in Game 4. He is a better player and better center than Robinson. On defense, it starts and ends with Mobley and Allen. Both of them need to return to their dominant ways, but especially Allen.

The Cavaliers’ Core Four did not play well in Game 2. If they come out and dominate in Game 4, the Cavs will have homecourt advantage back in their favor heading home to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. If they struggle once again, the Knicks could take control of the series.