Evan Mobley is main key for Cavs in second-round battle with Pistons
The Cavs should have no problem versus the Pistons if Evan Mobley plays his best in this 7-game second-round series
Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers have a date with the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Both teams struggled mightily versus opponents they should have handled in five games in the first round. Cleveland now has a great shot to make the Eastern Conference Finals.
That would be a first for both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. To achieve that, Evan Mobley has to be fully unlocked. There were many games in the past series where Mobley was able to score over 20 points.
Against the Detroit Pistons, there will be even more opportunities to thrive. Jarrett Allen and Jalen Duren will be duking it out in the paint, but the Pistons do not have an answer for what Mobley can provide. I think Mobley will be able to get to his spots and eat on the glass, too.
Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson are not the defenders that Scottie Barnes is, nor are the other players the Raptors had on the wing. The real defender the Pistons have is Ausar Thompson, and he will have his hands full with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. This is a match-up I see Evan Mobley finishing the series, averaging 20 points a game, and the Cavaliers frontcourt of Jarrett Allen and Mobley dominating.