ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers played Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Orlando Magic without center Jarrett Allen, who sat out for the second straight game Friday night because of a bruised rib.
Without Allen, the Magic overcame 50 points from Donovan Mitchell and held off the Cavs 103-96 to force Game 7 in Cleveland.
Allen, who has arguably been the Cavs’ best player in the series, also missed Game 5. He was injured when he took an elbow in the ribs during the second half of last weekend’s 23-point road loss in Game 4.
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff inserted Marcus Morris Sr. into the starting lineup for Game 6 and shifted Evan Mobley to center.
Allen traveled with the team to Orlando and his status remained uncertain 90 minutes before tipoff.
“We’ll see,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said when asked of the 6-foot-11 center would play.
“It’s his safety always,” Bickerstaff said when asked what concerned the team about playing Allen. “ When you have an injury to your core, your ability to change directions, get out of the way, move freely, play in the trenches like he does. We’ll always look out for Jarrett.”