Although Jarrett Allen leads the Brooklyn Nets with 21 double-doubles, tallying his latest on Saturday, the big man has slowed down since mid-December. Heading into Brooklyn’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons, Allen was averaging 9.6 points per game in the 19 games since he last scored at least 20 points (21 on December 11). In the 24 previous games, he was averaging 12.7 points per game.
So scoring 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds against Andre Drummond in the Nets’ 121-111 win over the Detroit Pistons is a big deal for Allen — or anyone, for that matter. Not to mention, he blocked four shots.
Allen told reporters in Detroit was fairly pleased with the way he went about his business, especially considering who he dealt with throughout the night:
I think I did pretty good. Ya know, there’s always stuff that us NBA players [are] gonna look at and say ‘I think I can do better.’ But, overall, I think I held my own.
This type of performance can get a guy back on track. With the New York Knicks up next, Allen has a chance to build off his Saturday performance.
Kenny Atkinson certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Allen playing like he did against Drummond on a night-to-night basis:
That’s the Jarrett Allen we need. He was fantastic. Physically with his rebounding. … Then Ky [Irving] trusted him at the end of the game. Ky hit him with a couple passes. Spencer [Dinwiddie] hit him with a lob. He’s a heck of a player for a 21-year-old kid.
The Nets and Knicks tip-off a Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
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