Cavs' Frontcourt Duo Could Be Key to Beating Celtics

Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen's dominance in the paint may give Cleveland an edge over Boston in a potential playoff matchup.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Despite a 109-98 loss to the Celtics, the Cavs' defense held its ground, forcing Boston's stars to work hard for their points. The Wine and Gold Talk podcast identified the Cavs' frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as a potential key to beating the Celtics in a playoff series. Mobley has been a consistent force against the Celtics all season, averaging 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. With a healthy Allen back in the lineup, the Cavs could have a significant advantage in the paint against Boston's more limited frontcourt options.

Why it matters

The Cavs' ability to neutralize the Celtics' offensive threats through their stifling interior defense could be a game-changer in a potential playoff matchup. Boston's stars typically look to exploit defensive mismatches, but the Cavs' frontcourt duo of Mobley and Allen may be able to limit those opportunities, forcing the Celtics to work harder for their points.

The details

Even without Jarrett Allen in the lineup, the Cavs' defense held its ground against the Celtics, making Boston's stars create difficult shots. With Allen back healthy, the Cavs' interior defense could be even more formidable. Evan Mobley has been a consistent force against the Celtics all season, averaging 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. The Cavs' frontcourt duo of Mobley and Allen could present a significant challenge for the Celtics' more limited options up front.

  • The Cavs lost to the Celtics 109-98 on Saturday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Evan Mobley

A young, talented power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers who has been a consistent force against the Boston Celtics all season.

Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers' starting center who, when healthy, forms a formidable frontcourt duo with Evan Mobley that could give the Celtics trouble in a potential playoff matchup.

Jayson Tatum

One of the Boston Celtics' star players who will need to work hard to score against the Cavaliers' stifling interior defense.

Jaylen Brown

Another star player for the Boston Celtics who will face a tough challenge against the Cavaliers' frontcourt duo of Mobley and Allen.

Payton Pritchard

A key contributor for the Boston Celtics who will need to create his own shots against the Cavaliers' defense.

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What they’re saying

“If there's a positive to take away from tonight's game without Jarrett Allen, I thought it was how the Cavs defense held up in portions because sure, Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Jayson Tatum all made difficult shots, but they had to make those difficult shots for it to be a game for them.”

— Ethan Sands, Host, Wine and Gold Talk podcast (cleveland.com)

“I didn't feel like there were too many matchups where you looked at it and said, oh man, that is just untenable for the Cavs. I don't think it was as easy as it's been in the past for some of Boston's individual players to hunt and seek out the matchup that they desired the most.”

— Chris Fedor, Cavs beat reporter, cleveland.com (cleveland.com)

“Evan Mobley, entering today, against the Celtics was averaging like 24, 12 and four. Today, he went for 24 and what, 9?... You look across the positional matchup board and that is the one for me, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley should have a pretty strong advantage with their skill and with the guys that they have to set them up like that could be a pressure point.”

— Jimmy Watkins, Columnist, cleveland.com (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Cavaliers and Celtics could potentially meet in the playoffs, where the frontcourt matchup between Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Boston's more limited options up front could be a key factor in determining the outcome of the series.

The takeaway

The Cavaliers' stifling interior defense, anchored by the duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, could be the key to beating the Celtics in a potential playoff matchup. By making Boston's stars work hard for their points and limiting their ability to exploit mismatches, the Cavs may have found a blueprint to turn the tables on the Eastern Conference powerhouse.