The Cleveland Cavaliers played well Jarrett allen this season because he’s done a hell of a job, often paired with Evan Mobley, anchoring the Cleveland defense and being a constant threat inside on the other end.

Allen had 14.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, and his verticality, rim protection and active defensive hands were so hard-hitting. He’s been a hell of a lob and inside / dump-off threat to the Cavaliers guards as well, and has shown more ability to take advantage of favorable clashes inside.

Unfortunately for the Cavs on Monday, a game where they were severely disadvantaged as Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love were still unavailable (COVID-19 health and safety protocols), Allen was also not involved. This was due to an illness, which apparently was not linked to COVID-19. The Celtics were without Jaylen Brown (sprained knee), however, but the Cavs were clearly hit, with Collin Sexton (torn meniscus) and Lamar Stevens (sprained ankle) as well.

Cleveland always made a valiant effort in a 98-92 loss, and Cedi Osman and Ricky Rubio, which the latter started in this one, collected 26 and 28 points in an attempt to lead the Cavaliers to victory.

That said, it was difficult for the Cavs to easily get inside production, unlike a lot of other games, and I thought the Cavs missed Allen’s showing in this one as well. Evan Mobley playing 5 in that one essentially full-time was a fit without Allen in there, and he struggled as a goalscorer, and it was harder for him to play in that role. He went 0 of 11 from the field and scored just one point in 29 minutes; he had nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks, however.

Mobley hit his elbow at the end of the third period, and it was awful to hear that, he will be sidelined, starting Tuesday, for 2-4 weeks.

Still, coming back, in this one and in Cleveland’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, it was obvious that Cleveland was missing Allen’s presence there.

Allen’s absence has clearly been felt in those last two losses, and hopefully he can come back against the Golden State Warriors.

The Nets are a club that could realistically come out of the Eastern Conference and / or win the NBA title this season, and Kevin Durant and James Harden will always get theirs, anyway.

With those guys, Kyrie Irving on the sidelines, and the shooters that Brooklyn has around them, like Patty Mills, who set Cleveland on fire, they were so tough to defend for Cleveland, and will be for the teams from night to night. Not to mention Blake Griffin inside and as a secondary playmaker, and LaMarcus Aldridge, who finds his rhythm. At this point, even with the Cavaliers on the shorthand, the Nets still shot [UPDATE STATS] of the earth at three points.

With Allen’s mobility, however, and his ability, along with Mobley’s, to challenge rim shots so well, and with Allen’s rim running, it might have helped the other Cavs involved.

Regardless of the types of shots, or many of which are dunks or putbacks, Allen has always converted to 78.0% of her looks in the restricted area (according to shooting data from NBA.com). And since it’s much more mobile than 5 Tacko Fall 2-way, this obviously opens up more movement; it’s also in the same field with Ed Davis.

Plus, with the way Allen has finished indoors this season, on some post-ups as well, it could have opened up more open perimeters in those last two outings. I give Davis credit for his work as a first step on Wednesday, and he filled the glass admirably, but in the chunks the Cavs certainly could have used Allen’s inner presence.

I don’t overlook Allen’s feeling for timing his off-ball screens for the Cleveland shooters, combined with the pick-and-roll game with Darius Garland and Ricky Rubio, too; that’s part of why I thought Cleveland’s offense in the last few games had stalled.

Either way, with how Allen has been such an important player and emerging leader, it seems for the Cavaliers not having had him the last two outings made it even more difficult, with the guys. also mentioned above.

Perhaps the Fro returned from illness on Thursday against a booming Golden State team.