Miami Heat: A Tall Task Awaits With Lengthy And Motivated Cavaliers
Although ranking 25th in scoring production, the Cavaliers join Miami as another elite defensive group. They have the ninth-highest Defensive Rating in the league and are holding opponents to 102.9 points per game, which ranks for the second-fewest.
While teams are also shooting the second-lowest percentage from within 0-3 feet against them (61 percent), the Cavaliers’ defense is anchored by one of the NBA’s most prominent frontcourt rotations in the league. This includes Evan Mobley, the third overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, and a seemingly transcendent talent for the Cavaliers to build around in the coming years.
After missing nearly two weeks due to an elbow injury, Mobley has jumped back in to continue being impactful as a positionless defender. He has only scratched the surface of his game, as he continues to grow accustomed to using his 7’1” frame at the professional level.
- Among all centers with a minimum of 15 games played, Mobley ranks sixth in Defensive Rating (99.3)
To complete a rare, yet intriguing power tandem, Mobley has complimented Jarrett Allen’s interior threat as both a finisher and rebounder. Allen recently signed a five-year extension from Cleveland at $100 million, after being drafted by Brooklyn, and just eight spots after Miami selected Bam Adebayo with the 14th pick in the 2017 draft.
And in comparison when talking about two of the game’s best young centers, both Adebayo and Allen usually deliver a fun matchup nearly every time they play against each other.