Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to tie up the series once again after defeat to the Boston Celtics in Game 3, but will likely have to do it without a couple of important players. The Cavs had registered their first win away from home of the postseason, beating the top seeds at TD Garden on Thursday to tie the series at 1-1. But the 106-93 loss that followed gave the Celtics the advantage once again.
That clearly makes Game 4 a crucial one for the home team but with Jarrett Allen almost certainly out, along with a questionable Donovan Mitchell with a left calf strain, it’s going to be an even greater challenge.
J. B. Bickerstaff has four players on their injury list, including Allen. The center has played a key role in the Cavs’ postseason – he leads the team’s in rebounds (13.8), steals (1.2) and has the second best figures, behind Donovan Mitchell, in shooting. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since Game 4 of the last round. He finished as the Cavs’ top scorer in the 112-89 defeat to the Magic but suffered a pierced rib injury during the game after colliding with Franz Wagner, taking an elbow to the ribs. The injury left him in excruciating pain and kept him out for the subsequent four matchups, plus the first two games of the semi-finals.
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