dailyloe.com – The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without two key starters for their Monday night matchup against the Utah Jazz. The team announced it will rest center Jarrett Allen and guard Max Strus. This decision comes as the Cavaliers secure their playoff seeding.
Cleveland has won five of its last six games, solidifying a top-four position in the Eastern Conference. They currently hold a four-and-a-half-game lead for the fifth seed. With only eight regular-season games remaining, the team is prioritizing player health.
Jarrett Allen is averaging 15.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season. Max Strus is averaging a career-high 12.5 points in his six games back from injury. Strus is also shooting an impressive 48.8 percent from three-point range.
The Cavaliers face a struggling Utah team on a five-game losing streak. Utah has also lost nine of its last ten contests. This makes the game a lower-risk opportunity for strategic rest.
Following this game, Cleveland embarks on a tough two-game road trip. They will face the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. The team then finishes the season with three of its final five games at home.
The cautious approach underscores Cleveland’s focus on a deep postseason run. Managing minutes for key contributors is a common late-season strategy. The team aims to enter the playoffs at full strength.[]
Source: Yahoo Sports
