How Jarrett Allen crushed Kenny Atkinson’s Evan Mobley fears during unprecedented month
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The Cleveland Cavaliers try to salvage their season following a disappointing begin. veteran middle Jarrett Allen has emerged as an x-factor within the staff’s championship pursuit.
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Allen has fueled a Cavaliers resurgence while playing the best basketball of his profession. The 27-year-old averaged 22.3 factors, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks on 74.0 p.c taking pictures over 11 appearances in February.
“Who’s played better than [Jarrett]?” Kenny Atkinson stated on Sunday when requested 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
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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).
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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 forward star back in the lineup.
“I think it’ll naturally play out,” Atkinson said of Allen’s role alongside Mobley. “We noticed Evan final sport. It was extra about Evan getting his rhythm than JA blocking him or something. They’ve clearly been very profitable on the courtroom collectively over their careers, however think about when you get peak Evan and peak JA? That’s the purpose… Evan’s not in peak type but. If he will get there, we’re gonna be powerful to beat.”
The Cavaliers sit in fourth place within the Eastern Conference with 20 video games remaining. They’re two video games forward of the Toronto Raptors in fifth and 1.5 video games behind the New York Knicks in third.
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