Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen defend Evan Mobley after rebounding disaster in Game 2

The Cleveland Cavaliers are now down 2-0 in their series against the Detroit Pistons. Considering most people thought this series would be close, this is not a good look for Kenny Atkinson and the Cavaliers.

Of course, Games 1 and 2 were played in Detroit, so the Cavs can still turn the series around at home. However, it needs to involve Evan Mobley playing much better, especially with his work on the boards.

Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen come to Evan Mobley's defense

Mitchell was the best player for the Cavaliers, as he scored 31 points in their quest to tie the series up at 1-1. However, it did not work out because both Mobley and James Harden underperformed in Game 2. 

Mitchell and Jarrett Allen played well, but it was not enough to overcome the Cavaliers' problems. One of those issues was their rebounding, especially since Mobley only grabbed one board, which is baffling for such an active big man.

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During the regular season, Mobley averaged nine rebounds a night. He regularly gets double-doubles, but his Game 2 performance has come under fire because the Pistons thrived with their rebounding.

"Evan contributed to them not getting a lot of offensive rebounds. He took himself out of plays to make sure someone else got the rebounds. There's a reason why other guys had many rebounds... There's a reason why the smalls have six, five, and four," Allen and Mitchell said about Mobley's understated impact on the boards beyond his own rebounds.

While his teammates make valid points, Mobley should be grabbing more boards. It is a way to assert himself in the game, and considering he only scored nine points, it felt like he was fading away despite playing 36 minutes.

In Game 3, Mobley and the rest of the Cavaliers must do their best to play with more force and urgency. They can beat this Pistons team, and with Mitchell rounding into form on offense, they have a golden opportunity to turn the series around in Cleveland.

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