East Notes: Cavs, Jarrett Allen, Pacers, Andrew Nembhard, Pistons

Cavaliers

Jarrett Allen’s sluggish season debut didn’t sit well with Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, who admitted he was “bummed” by the performance.

“That wasn’t the Jarrett Allen we all know,” Atkinson said. “That was more on us not seeking him out. But conversely, he can’t get four rebounds. Can’t be like that.”

Atkinson made it clear he wasn’t pointing fingers. He was holding himself accountable too.

“This is a self-criticism,” he said. “We take him for granted. I have to be better about talking to him more and talking to our leaders more about him.”

Allen responded quickly. In Game 2 against Brooklyn, he posted 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists — then followed it up with eight points and 11 rebounds in Sunday’s 118–113 win over the Bucks.

You can read my full account of that game in the latest Dribbles.

Pacers

It’s been a rough injury stretch for the Pacers, but there’s at least one sign of hope.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports that Andrew Nembhard’s shoulder injury — which forced him out of Thursday’s game against the Thunder — isn’t expected to be a long-term issue after an MRI earlier this week.

Nembhard is one of the few healthy ball-handlers left, and his absence has forced the Pacers to scramble offensively, notes Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.

Along with Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Taelon Peter, Kam Jones, and Bennedict Mathurin, Nembhard was on the injury report entering Sunday’s game. Things got even worse when Obi Toppin exited early with a hamstring injury, per Dopirak.

Pistons

After breaking out as an All-NBA guard and finishing seventh in MVP voting last season, Cade Cunningham is learning what it means to be the defensive focus of every opponent.

“I just don’t feel like I’ve handled it the way I want to,” Cunningham said, via Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “I’m gonna keep watching film and try to be better for my team. We had too many empty possessions because I didn’t handle the hots correctly.”

The Pistons (2–1) will host the Cavs (2–1) on Monday in a game that marks the first Peacock streaming broadcast for both teams.