Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ performance has notably declined since their peak two months ago, when they appeared poised to secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Presently, they find themselves in closer competition with teams like the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Indiana Pacers for the remaining four playoff spots in the conference.
Unfortunately, the Cavaliers have been hindered by injuries in recent months, further complicating their quest for playoff positioning. Given the tight standings in the conference, it is crucial for Cleveland to elevate their level of play in the remaining two games of the regular season, one of which will be against the Indiana Pacers, a direct competitor.
Following their recent victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Jarrett Allen stressed the importance of treating the upcoming game against the Pacers as a playoff-caliber matchup, recognizing its potential significance for postseason seeding.
“I believe we must approach the next game with the intensity of a playoff contest, as it could essentially serve as a preview,” Allen stated, as reported by Evan Dammarrell, Cavs beat reporter for Right Down Euclid and ClutchPoints.
Indeed, there is a possibility that the Cavaliers could face the Pacers in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. With the Orlando Magic dropping their last two games, the Pacers could potentially rise to the fifth seed, especially with a victory over the Cavaliers on Friday.
