Could the Cavaliers’ double bigs catapult a deep playoff run?

TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 5: Evan Mobley #4 and Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on November 5, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, NOTE TO USER: User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

When the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled out a starting lineup featuring three near seven-footers at the beginning of the season, many viewed it as a whacky experiment with little chance of any substantial success.

Yet, just over three months into a rather challenging season, the Cavaliers have defied all kinds of expectations placed upon them. They even earned another impressive display against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, overcoming a first-quarter deficit to stamp a formidable 16-point victory.

With the win over the Bucks, elevating Cleveland to a 30-19 record and third in the eastern conference, are the Cavs primed for a deep playoff run?

Could the Cavaliers’ double bigs catapult a deep playoff run?

Many rightly look at the rise of third-year guard Darius Garland. His 19.7 points and 8.2 assists per game are likely to grant him an All-Star selection for the first time, as well as put him discussion in the Most Improved Player conversation.

Cleveland won’t be satisfied with just a playoff berth, and as good as Garland has been, their frontcourt twin towers may be the most important element to potential playoff success.

The defensive end has been Cleveland’s calling card this season, as they sit at third in that area behind the league’s two best teams (Phoenix and Golden State). Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are the pillars behind that, providing a unique combination of interior size and impressive defensive IQ.

Already trending towards being one of the elite big men in the league, Mobley is a rare specimen for a first-year player due to his size. The ability to be a more than capable perimeter presence, both offensively and defensively, is ultimately what makes Cleveland’s big lineup not only viable, but a productive, dynamic unit.

Allen was always a shot-blocking presence during his time in Brooklyn, but even the Nets may be surprised with the rapid development that has made him a potential first-time All-Star.

Together, Mobley and Allen have led the Cavaliers to the best defensive field goal percentage in the league for shots within six feet. For context, the gap between them and the second-ranked team (San Antonio Spurs) is larger than the gap between the Spurs and the fifth-ranked Memphis Grizzlies.

With Kevin Durant currently out injured, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid hold the mantle as the most dominant players in the East. They are two of the most dominant inside players in the league, for that matter, evidenced by the fact they’re ranked one and two in free throw attempts per game.

Therefore, given the reasonable chance that Cleveland faces at least one, if not both of them come playoff time, the combination of Mobley and Allen could be even more important and impactful. The thought of Antetokounmpo or Embiid battling the best interior duo in the league across a seven-game series is tantalizing.

While the Cavaliers will undoubtedly learn and grow from playoff experience, it’s not hard to imagine that this team, on the back of Mobley and Allen, is more than capable of producing a surprising playoff run.