Here’s how Cavs’ Jarrett Allen’s injury affects Bulls in NBA playoff picture

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without All-Star center Jarrett Allen indefinitely due to a finger injury sustained against the Toronto Raptors, and here’s how it impacts the Chicago Bulls.

Jarrett Allen is set to be sidelined for a period of time after spraining his middle finger Sunday night. The big man has been an integral figure for the Cavaliers, anchoring their defense while averaging 6.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 56 games.

He has been a major contributor in Cleveland’s resurgent campaign, as the Cavs currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference — two games behind Chicago Bulls and one game behind the Boston Celtics. As you can see, it’s a tight race with just 17 games remaining.

As you can see, Allen’s injury will now have a major impact on the final stretch and will likely benefit the Bulls as they get healthier.

Here’s how Jarrett Allen’s injury affects the Chicago Bulls

Of their 18 remaining games, the Cavs face seven teams who have elite post players, including the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets. Allen has established himself as a shot blocker, challenging opposing bigs and slashing guards at the rim. With him out, the Bulls will need their other big to step up.

When Allen went out against Toronto, Evan Mobley stepped up, finishing with 20 points and 17 rebounds as he searched for ways to be more aggressive on the boards. Lauri Markkanen poured in 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Kevin Love added 15 points and nine rebounds. This is the production the Cavs will need while Allen is sidelined.

On the other hand, the Bulls play the Cavs twice in the final stretch of the regular season. Two wins can give the Bulls much needed breathing room in the playoff picture and will more than likely make the difference.

In their first two matchups with the Bulls, Allen averaged 9 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls split with the Cavs, with both games separating the teams from double-digit points. In their loss, the Bulls struggled to keep Allen off the glass as he limited most of their possessions to one shot.

On the offensive end, Allen freed up Darius Garland in the pick and roll. Garland led the Cavs in scoring that game, dropping  24 points. Generally, Allen is the Cavs’ primary inside presence, grabbing the most contested rebounds on the team this season.

Without Allen, it will be difficult for the Cavs to catch the Bulls, but it won’t be impossible. Cleveland has been plagued with injuries the entire season and have managed to make it this far.

They lost both Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio to season-ending injuries, Garland and Mobley missed time with nagging issues. Isaac Okoro missed seven games with a hamstring strain, six with an elbow sprain, and three in health and safety protocols/return to reconditioning. Markkanen missed 11 games with an ankle sprain.

But the Bulls can’t let them hang around so close by. Chicago will have to capitalize on games against subpar teams to secure their seeding in the east. If they don’t, they’ll be in jeopardy of falling to the fourth seed. In that case, they would face the Cavs in the first round. The Cavaliers have tall roster, something that can give the Bulls problems. And by then, Allen should be healthy and ready to play.

DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are capable jump shooters, but are at their best when able to attack the paint.  The Cavs have the length to change their shots at the rim and recover to perimeter shooters.

The Cavs also have mobile length that can attack the Bulls defense. Markkanen and Love can hit the outside jumper, forcing the Bulls bigs to properly show on the perimeter.

With Allen out, the versatile bigs on the Cavs will have to step up. This can either result in the Cavs crashing and burning, or create a new hurdle for the Bulls moving forward.

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