Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen likely to be back in lineup against Nets

INDEPENDENCE — Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, sidelined for the last week-and-a-half with a right eye contusion, is expected to be in the starting lineup tonight against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. The 6-foot-11, 248-pounder missed four games with the injury. "He participated in everything we did today," Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after practice Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "So, we'll see how he responds (today)." Allen flew to Brooklyn with the Cavs on Monday. However, he has decided he won't be wearing protective lenses. "He will not wear goggles," Bickerstaff said. "Obviously, he will always do what's safest and what's necessary, but at this point there are no goggles." The coach said the Cavs missed Allen's "spirit." "He's a guy who leads in a different way, but he leads nonetheless, and guys love to follow him," Bickerstaff said. "The effort that he plays with is contagious and guys follow that." Power forward Evan Mobley stepped in at center in Allen's absence and played well. The Cavs (45-28) were 3-1 without Allen. On the season, Allen is averaging 14.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and is shooting .649 from the field in 62 games. He is averaging a career-high 33 minutes per game. Bickerstaff said Allen has been missed the most on the defensive end of the floor. "(He) protects the rim," Bickerstaff said. "He helps us rebound. He helps anchor our defense." The coach said Allen won't have any minute restrictions. Cavs swingman Caris LeVert likes how the team is playing. "I feel like we're really close," he said. "We've had a good stretch of games. I think if everyone comes back, I think we'll be on the right track to playing our best basketball going into the playoffs." LeVert said he believes Mobley is among the leading contenders for Defensive Player of the Year. "I think Jay should be right there, too, to be honest with you, with how he impacts the game," he said of Allen. "(He's) an anchor for us at the rim defensively, protecting and then switching out on guards, too. (There are) not many bigs who can move the way he can and pick things up as quickly as he can on the fly. So, he's been super valuable for our defense." The Cavs will remain in New York and play the Nets again Thursday. It will be the third of four two-game sets in the last month of the season. "I think it's the preparation, being able to see your opponent, make adjustments and then see your opponent again and understand what the mindset of your opponent is and the adjustments that they're going to make," Bickerstaff said. "(You'll see) how quickly you can solve those (adjustments) on the fly, which again, I think is great practice for us." The first round of the playoffs will start in less than a month but Bickerstaff said the Cavs aren't thinking about that. "We've got to take care of business and that's our focus," he said. "We can't start looking too far ahead because there's so much on the line each moment. So, (we're) just trying to stay in the moment. Every game comes with its own lessons and just trying to approach it that way. Everything is a business-like approach." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on Twitter.