ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers are playing Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Orlando Magic without center Jarrett Allen, who is sitting out for the second straight game Friday night because of a bruised rib.
Allen, who has arguably been the Cavs’ best player in the series, also missed Game 5, which Cleveland won 104-103 at home on Tuesday. 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.
Cleveland holds a 3-2 lead and can close out the Eastern Conference series with a win Friday night over the Magic, who won Games 3 and 4 at home by a combined 61 points.
Game 7, if needed, would be Sunday in Cleveland.
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.