Jarrett Allen Emerges as Cavs' Key Playoff X-Factor

The Cleveland Cavaliers have sparked a league-wide resurgence of the two-big lineup, with their pairing of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley proving especially dominant this season. This frontcourt duo helped Cleveland achieve the NBA's top offensive rating, and their on-court synergy has given the Cavs a significant advantage in both regular season and potential playoff matchups. Despite past criticisms, particularly regarding Allen's playoff performance and toughness following last year's injury, he has demonstrated remarkable durability and efficiency, making NBA history by shooting over 70% from both the field and free-throw line for a season. As the playoffs approach, Allen is positioned as a key figure with an opportunity to silence critics and cement his legacy, especially given the Cavs' strong statistical performance when both bigs share the floor. The narrative surrounding Cleveland now centers on whether their two-big strategy can deliver postseason success, with Allen's redemption arc providing additional intrigue.