After initially being listed as questionable for their regular season finale against the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen will play, per Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff (h/t Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan).
“Everybody that’s available will get a little burn,” says Bickerstaff.
Cleveland will be resting their star backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland when they face the Hornets, per AP’s Tom Withers. Veteran wing Caris LeVert and an ailing Isaac Okoro will also be out.
However, Allen will be joined by at least one other regular rotation player in fan favorite Evan Mobley, although both will play sparingly with the NBA Playoffs just a week away.
With the team’s primary playmakers likely on the bench, Mobley could see himself as the offensive focal point while he’s on the court. The reps will only help the promising forward improve, as he has the potential to be an x-factor in any game.
This could be especially true in the playoffs, as teams look to take away their opponent’s top scoring options.
The more comfortable and confident Mobley is offensively, the better.
After missing the Cavs’ last game, a blowout victory over the Orlando Magic, Allen has missed seven of the team’s last 12 contests. Playing against the Hornets, even for a quarter, gives him a better chance of being in form defensively and in rhythm offensively when the 2023 NBA Playoffs begin.
Locked into a first round playoff matchup with the New York Knicks, Cleveland has a small margin of error if they want to emerge victorious.
A team with as much talent as them, if not more, the Knicks will be a great test for an up-and-coming Cavs team.