Jarrett Allen and LeBron James are on the same list now.
In Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, Jarrett Allen became the second Cleveland Cavaliers player in postseason history with 20+ PTS and 15+ REB in Game 7.
He joins LeBron James on May 27, 2018 vs. the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.
Allen had 22 points and 19 rebounds against the Raptors, helping the Cavaliers advance to the second round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Cleveland faces the Detroit Pistons in the second round. The 2017-18 Cavaliers squad led by James went to the NBA Finals. The Wine and Gold haven't gotten past the second round since 2018.
Kenny Atkinson noticed a different Allen during the pregame introductions, watching his center bounce around and enthusiastically hand out high-fives. On Cleveland's first possession, Allen went for a rim-shattering dunk, and although it bounced out of the rim, it set the tone for the rest of Game 7.
"Just give everything you got," Allen said. "All I ask for the guys is just give more. That's all I ask. Just give one more effort, give one more push, give one more energy that you got."
The Raptors gave the Cavaliers a tough test in Round 1. Now, all eyes are on Cleveland for Round 2.
"This series galvanized us," Atkinson said. "Their physicality, their speed, their athleticism -- things weren't perfect. We kind of know the difference. Last year, we kind of had an easier series. These types of series, they build you up. And I'm glad we went through it. It wasn't fun. But I think it will be a better team coming out of it."
James and the Los Angeles Lakers are in the second round of this year's playoffs as well. It would be wild to see LeBron face the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. It probably won't happen since the Oklahoma City Thunder will likely beat the Lakers in Round 2.
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