The Cleveland Cavaliers are attempting to salvage their season following a disappointing start. Veteran center Jarrett Allen has emerged as an x-factor in the team’s championship pursuit.
Allen has fueled a Cavaliers resurgence while playing the best basketball of his career. The 27-year-old averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks on 74.0 percent shooting over 11 appearances in February.
“Who’s played better than [Jarrett]?” Kenny Atkinson said on Sunday when asked about Allen’s case for Eastern Conference Player Of The Month. “This is the best stretch I’ve seen from him in his career. Doing it on both ends. The skill level, we know all that, but it’s more the tenacity, the energy. He’s played great. When Evan [Mobley] came back, I was afraid he was gonna dip, but it doesn’t seem like we’re gonna get that dip.”
Allen’s 74.0 field goal percentage in February led the NBA. He was the league’s only player to average over 20 points and 10 rebounds on 50 percent shooting or better.
Jarrett Allen lifts Cavaliers in Eastern Conference standings with dominant February
The Cavaliers posted an 8-3 record in February amid Allen's breakout stretch. They ranked first in offense (121.5), ninth in defense (110.6) and fourth in net rating (10.9).
The majority of Allen’s career-best stretch came with frontcourt partner Evan Mobley sidelined. Mobley played only four games in February due to a calf injury.
Mobley's return has altered the team's frontcourt dynamic. However, Atkinson expects Allen to maintain his dominance with the star forward back in the lineup.
“I think it’ll naturally play out,” Atkinson said of Allen’s role alongside Mobley. “We saw Evan last game. It was more about Evan getting his rhythm than JA blocking him or anything. They’ve obviously been very successful on the court together over their careers, but imagine if you get peak Evan and peak JA? That’s the goal… Evan’s not in peak form yet. If he gets there, we’re gonna be tough to beat.”
The Cavaliers sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 20 games remaining. They're two games ahead of the Toronto Raptors in fifth and 1.5 games behind the New York Knicks in third.
