The Cleveland Cavaliers traveled to Miami on Wednesday to take on the Heat. Cavs rookie Evan Mobley has got a lot of attention, and rightfully so as one of the better rookies thus far. But Jarrett Allen is showing he takes a back seat to one down low.
Late in the first quarter with the Cavs already leading 24-12, Lamar Stevens drove and threw one up for Allen. What Allen did with it was impressive.
Allen corralled it with one hand and emphatically threw it down over Heat player Caleb Martin. Allen also drew the foul and finished the three point play.
Jarrett Allen is in the midst of a massive breakout season, garnering plenty of All Star buzz. Over the last month, he is averaging 19 points and just under 13 rebounds per game, to go along with a couple assists, a steal and a block. He has become a stat sheet stuffer.
His importance to the team has only grown as the Cavs have dealt with a number of injuries this season. First, point guard Collin Sexton tore his meniscus. It was announced he is out for the rest of the season following surgery.
Then rookie big man Evan Mobley went down with a sprained elbow. Thankfully for the Cavs, that injury was not overly serious.
With both Allen and Mobley dominating in the front court, and Darius Garland running point, the Cavs look to be a formidable foe in the Eastern Conference. They entered Wednesday 11-10, tied for 7th. They are well ahead of schedule with the rebuild and Allen is a key part of that.