CLEVELAND, Ohio — During the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dominating 112-84 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, James Harden praised center Jarrett Allen’s abilities, spotlighting his significant role in the team’s recent success. Harden emphasized Allen’s versatility and skillfulness around the rim, calling him an underrated asset just four games into their collaboration.
Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Harden has developed effective pick-and-roll partnerships with players like Clint Capela, Dwight Howard, and Joel Embiid, among others. Allen now joins that list as Harden’s trust and connection with the Cavs center quickly deepen.
“He’s better than I thought he was‚ He’s able to catch the ball and finish around the rim with both hands. He has so much touch around the rim. That’s I think probably one of the most underrated parts of his game. Just trying to find ways to get him the ball, in positions where he can be successful. It’s only been four games, but it’s easy for me to just figure it out.”
— James Harden, Cavaliers Guard
Coaching Staff Recognizes Allen’s Growing Role and Energy
Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson and President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman have both acknowledged Harden’s exceptional vision and influence on the team’s offense, particularly how he elevates teammates like Jarrett Allen. Atkinson stated his focus is ensuring Allen remains integral to their offensive schemes, noting the center’s energy and effectiveness rise noticeably when receiving the ball more frequently.
“I’m really focused on making sure that J.A. is involved more, He’s opened my eyes to possibilities that we can do more for him.”
— Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers Head Coach
Atkinson further described Harden’s role as similar to a quarterback directing a receiver, setting up Allen to receive passes in stride and maximize his scoring opportunities. This dynamic has helped Allen maintain a high level of activity on both ends of the court.
“It’s almost like a quarterback leading the receiver, You don’t have to wait for it. You catch it kind of in stride. You have to ask J.A., but I’m sure he’s even more eager because he knows he’s going to touch the ball a lot with James in the pick and roll.”
— Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers Head Coach
Return of Evan Mobley Adds Another Dimension to Cleveland’s Lineup
On the same night, the Cavaliers welcomed back forward Evan Mobley from a calf strain, injecting excitement about the potential trio of Harden, Mobley, and Donovan Mitchell. Although the initial on-court chemistry displayed flashes, coach Atkinson described Mobley’s return as a steady reintroduction rather than a game-changing moment immediately.
Still, the Harden-Allen partnership remained a dominant force throughout the game, overpowering the Nets as in previous matches. Allen’s consistent performance underscores his growing importance as a reliable piece of the Cavs’ offense.
Allen’s Statistical Contributions Reflect Harden’s Influence
In just 24 minutes against Brooklyn, Allen recorded his fifth double-double in six games, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. His usage rate rose to one of the season’s highest, illustrating his expanding role within the team’s strategies. Following Harden’s arrival, Allen’s offensive output surged, with a remarkable field goal percentage of 77.3 percent across four games.
Most of Allen’s made shots have been facilitated by teammates, particularly Harden. Of 34 shots completed during this span, 28 were assisted, with 24 being high-efficiency finishes like layups, dunks, or alley-oops. Harden’s passes directly contributed to 10 of these baskets, highlighting their growing synergy on the floor.
When Harden and Allen share the floor, the Cavaliers boast an offensive rating of 123.4 and outscore opponents by nearly eight points per 100 possessions, illustrating the effectiveness of their collaboration.
“Jarrett Allen is insane,” Donovan Mitchell praised.
“He’s been doing this since before the deadline, but just to see him set this tone for us and then James and him having a great connection and everybody really feeding off that, it’s really nice to see.”
— Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Guard
Harden’s Presence Energizes the Team’s Confidence and Performance
Allen’s standout career game in Portland, featuring 40 points and 17 rebounds, came before Harden joined Cleveland, but Harden’s influence has further elevated Allen’s game. The center’s impact extends beyond data, enhancing the team’s overall spirit and belief in their potential.
“Almost like a renewed energy, a belief, They know we got something good going on. We brought in guys that are going to help us. Wow we’ve got to confirm it, right? I’m not going to sit up here after 4 games or whatever and say we’re this juggernaut. We still have a lot to prove. But I think the early returns with our spirit and our confidence and our aggressiveness is really good.”
— Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers Head Coach
The rebuilding Cavaliers are demonstrating promising chemistry fueled by Harden’s floor leadership and Allen’s finishing ability. If this momentum continues, Cleveland could become a formidable contender in the closing stretch of the season, with Allen firmly established as a pivotal player in their system.
