The Cleveland Cavaliers have the opportunity to go up 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics Saturday night as the series shifts to Cleveland’s home floor. The Cavs are coming off a shocking 118-94 victory in Game 2 at the TD Garden, putting them in the driver’s seat with two home games coming up.
Additionally, they pulled the victory off without starting big Jarrett Allen or backup forward Dean Wade. Both are listed as questionable to play on Saturday, via the NBA injury report. They’ll be game-time decisions.
Allen has been dealing with a right rib contusion that’s kept him out the last five games. However, he appears to be trending in the right direction, as he was seen participating in Cleveland’s pregame shoot-around, via Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland.
If Allen does play, it would provide a major boost to the Cavs’ chances of winning the series. The Texas alum averaged 17 points on 67.6% shooting with 13.8 rebounds with one block and 1.3 steals against the Orlando Magic last round. Additionally, he’s a lockdown defender inside, ranking 11th in the league with a 110.3 defensive rating in the regular season.
As for Wade, he’s been held out for the last few weeks with a right knee sprain. The fourth-year veteran is expected to finally come back Saturday, via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
“I think Dean Wade is planning on playing tomorrow,” Windhorst said. “I don’t know what he’ll get (on the injury report) because the Cavs haven’t really announced what’s going on in his knee. He’s really worked hard to make this happen.”
Wade would significantly bolster Cleveland’s bench depth with somebody who’s had success against the Celtics before. The Kansas State alum scored 20 points in the fourth quarter on March 5th to lead the Cavs to a 105-104 victory over them.
“I don’t know how much he can give them, but just giving J.B. (Bickerstaff) lineup versatility, being that they got to watch him in pregame workout and everything, but I think he’s hoping to play tomorrow,” Windhorst continued.
If Cleveland does get these two players back, will they be at 100%
Allen and Wade may not be a full-strength, but their presence alone will boost the Cavaliers
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