Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been upgraded to questionable for Tuesday night’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The seventh-year player has missed the past five games with lower back pain.
During Cleveland’s 117-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 25, the center went down hard on the court after trying to block Giannis Antetokounmpo’s shot attempt. He would not return. His concussion was initially diagnosed as a right hip injury.
Based on a few NBA betting sites, the Cavaliers have the eighth-best odds to win the championship in 2023. Some sportsbooks show the Brooklyn Nets a better chance in the Eastern Conference.
Cavs’ Jarrett Allen (back) upgraded to questionable.
— Dude Sam (@DudeHoops) December 6, 2022
In 17 starts this season, Allen is averaging 13.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks. He is also logging 32 minutes per game and shooting 58.8% from the field.
More importantly, the Texas product leads the NBA in defensive rating (104.2).
In the year On November 23, the center scored 24 points in 37 minutes of action as the Cavaliers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-96. He had 13 boards, two assists and one steal.
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen is questionable for Tuesday night’s game against the Lakers
In addition to recording nine double-doubles so far this season, Allen has a player efficiency rating of 18.2 and the center’s true shooting percentage is 62.6 percent.
While Cleveland still misses Allen, the team’s defense is the best in the NBA. They are allowing just 105 points per game, fewest in the league. Not to mention, the team’s defensive efficiency rating is high (1.039).
However, wins and losses are the statistics that matter. The Cavaliers are currently 15-9 and in third place overall in the East. On Sunday, the Knicks let their five-game losing streak end at home.
The teams in the top 10 in offense and defense this season are:
– Mavericks
– The sun
– Pelicans
– Riders pic.twitter.com/AnfcavFQ5k— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 5, 2022
After winning back-to-back games, Cleveland lost 92-81 at Madison Square Garden. Mitchell led the Cavs in scoring with 23 points in 40 minutes of play.
“We did not shoot. Just one of those nights,” Mitchell said after the loss. “We didn’t play well tonight. It can’t always be sunshine and rainbows. This is not who we are. We know we can play better, and we will.
While further reviewing the Cavaliers’ injury report, Ricky Rubio (knee) and Dyland Windle (ankle) remain out indefinitely. To add to the list, Dean Wade is now questionable with a left shoulder injury. He is expected to be out for the next 3-4 weeks.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Cleveland has a 67.1% chance of beating the Lakers at home on Tuesday. But Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and the rest of the team are now on a three-game winning streak. They are 5-1 in their last 6 games against the Cavs.
