The Cleveland Cavaliers took a major step forward this season, finishing in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. That put them in the NBA Play-In Tournament, matched up with the Brooklyn Nets in the first game.
Cleveland lost that game, 115-108. They will now have one more chance to qualify for the 16-team postseason field as they will host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. The Hawks earned their spot in the game defeating the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping that they will be getting a much-needed boost for the game. Starting center Jarrett Allen, who has been sidelined since March 6th because of a fractured finger, could return to the court for the Play-In Final.
Allen declared himself 50/50 to play in the game against the Hawks. Should he play, there is a chance that his performance will be hampered as there is still significant pain in the finger.
It would be admirable for Jarrett Allen to get back on the court, but it is very hard for a basketball player to succeed with an injured finger, especially someone that plays with the style of Allen. He is going to be banging on the interior all night, contesting shots and battling it out for rebounds.
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That kind of action could cause more damage to his finger, which he opted against getting surgery on. Even not at 100 percent, just having Allen in the lineup would be a big boost for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Their defense suffered a huge drop-off with Allen out of the lineup, as Cleveland went from one of the most dominant defensive units in the league to a team that hemorrhaged points. His presence in the lineup would be helpful, as keeping Clint Capela contained is a key to defeating the Atlanta Hawks.
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If Jarrett Allen is unable to go, expect to see more Kevin Love off the bench just like in the game against the Nets. Evan Mobley will have his hands full as well attempting to contain Capela in the paint.
