Cleveland Cavaliers’ Title Hopes Could Hinge on Jarrett Allen’s Health

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been fairly inconsistent throughout this entire season. Of course, a litany of injuries has played a massive role in this roller coaster of a season for the Cavs, but one injury seems to weigh the Cavs down more than others.

Jarrett Allen has felt like the odd man out in Cleveland’s rotation the last few years. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley always felt like the two cornerstones, while they hoped that Darius Garland and Allen could fit in as the next guys up in the starting lineup. We all know now that the Cavs felt that Garland wasn’t able to be consistent enough to be Mitchell’s backcourt partner, so they traded for James Harden.

His fit in Cleveland has been up-and-down, but when Harden has been paired with Jarrett Allen, it’s looked like a team that could contend in the East. Even before Harden made the move from LA, he had been playing some of the best basketball in his career. In the month of February, Allen averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.1 stocks a game, well above his season averages. He was doing this as the lone man in the front court with Mobley down with a calf injury.

Unfortunately, the season of injuries continues for Cleveland, as Allen has missed the last eight games with a knee injury, and the Cavs have looked pedestrian at best in his absence.

Allen has missed 20 games this season, and Cleveland has only been 11-9 in those outings. On the other hand, they’ve been 33-18 when he's played, averaging 4 more points per game and higher offensive and defensive ratings.

Most importantly, Evan Mobley has been at his best playing next to a true center in Allen. Cleveland has a +10.3 NET rating when both are on the court and a +5 NET rating when only one is on the floor.

Cleveland still has good value at +260 to come out of the East. 

If they can enter the playoffs healthy, they’re still my team to beat in the East. We’ve only gotten to see Mitchell, Harden, Mobley, and Allen together on the court for 31 minutes this year, but they’ve been a +28 NET rating with insanely elite offensive and defensive metrics as well. Then, when you add Sam Merrill to that mix, they’ve had a ridiculous offensive rating of 164 in those limited minutes.

Cleveland hasn't looked like a contender this year; however, we haven’t seen them at full strength yet. Don’t count out the Cavs just yet; this team could be deadly if they make it to the playoffs in one piece.