After a well-deserved break following their dominant win over the Miami Heat in the opening round, the Boston Celtics are now preparing to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. The Cavaliers, securing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, fought through a grueling seven-game series against the Orlando Magic to earn their spot. Despite their talent, the Cavaliers have struggled to fully gel as a team for the second consecutive season. Their recent playoff series against Orlando was marked by defensive battles rather than offensive fireworks, with both teams rarely reaching triple-digit scores.
The spotlight in Cleveland falls on Evan Mobley, the former third overall pick who has been instrumental in their defensive efforts but has yet to find his rhythm on offense. His performance in the upcoming playoff series against Boston is crucial, as his ability to contribute offensively will heavily influence the outcome.
Mobley’s offensive struggles raise questions about his role within the team, particularly his shooting deficiencies. While he showed improvement in three-point shooting this season, his low number of attempts per game underscores his limited offensive impact. The absence of Jarrett Allen, a key part of Cleveland’s frontcourt duo alongside Mobley, further complicates matters. The Cavaliers’ lineup dynamics drastically change depending on which big man is available, and Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s handling of the situation will be pivotal.
With both Mobley and Allen on the court, Cleveland finds itself in a challenging position where neither player fully addresses the team’s spacing issues. Unlike other frontcourt pairings known for their floor-stretching abilities, such as Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, Allen and Mobley lack elite shooting skills. This deficiency reflects in their net rating, which drops significantly when they share the court.
While Allen thrives in his defined role as a rim protector and efficient scorer, Mobley’s contributions remain less defined. While he excels defensively, his offensive game lacks polish, posing a dilemma for the Cavaliers as they navigate through the playoffs.