4 Biggest playoff obstacles Knicks need to prepare for against Cavaliers

2: Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen frontcourt duo

Cleveland’s starting lineup includes Evan Mobley, who is six-foot-eleven, and Jarrett Allen, who is six-foot-nine. That duo has formed to create one of the best rim-protecting teams in the league that played a large role in the Cavaliers allowing a league-low 106.9 points per game.

At the age of 21, Mobley is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and will almost certainly make an All-NBA Defensive Team. He’s a versatile defender that can guard the perimeter or keep the paint secured. He’s dominant by himself, so when you add Allen into the equation, the Cavaliers’ defense becomes that much more threatening.

When the Knicks drive to the basket and draw Mobley and Allen in, they’ll be able to create open looks on the perimeter. New York shot 35.4% from three during the regular season, the 26th-lowest percentage in the league. Julius Randle averaged a team-high 8.3 three-point attempts during the regular season, but his availability for the series is still unknown.

Jalen Brunson may not be one of the flashiest guards in the league, but he has a quicker first step than you’d think. His footwork while driving to the basket can help him get open looks against Mobley or Allen. Especially if Randle has to miss a game or two, Brunson will be carrying a lot of the offensive workload. The last thing that the Knicks should want is for Brunson to be throwing up bad looks.

It’ll be interesting to see what New York cooks up on the offensive end to counteract Mobley and Allen’s presence.