Are playoffs in jeopardy for Cavs’ Wallace?
Just three games after returning from a broken leg, Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Ben Wallace is hurt again, with his status to start the playoffs this weekend very much in question.
Wallace left Sunday’s game against the Celtics in the second quarter with what was called a knee contusion and never returned. He was re-evaluated at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health on Monday morning and underwent an MRI exam, which showed a patellar tendon strain.
The four-time All-Star for sure will not play in the team’s two final regular season games, tonight against the Pacers and Wednesday against the Sixers – bet on those at WagerWeb.com. In 56 games this season, Wallace is averaging 2.9 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Those numbers don’t sound like much, but Big Ben remains the team’s best interior defender, and if there’s one weakness on the Cavs, it’s the interior defense.
The team gave no timetable on how long he may be out.
In general, knee ligament strains involve tendinitis or some swelling in the area. The common way to treat it is with extended rest. Patellar tendinitis or “jumper’s knee” is a condition resulting from overuse of the knee. It is possible that Wallace’s sudden increase in training after missing 21 games with that broken right leg caused the injury.
Rookie forward J.J. Hickson is already on the inactive list with a stress reaction in his back and will be sidelined at least another two weeks. Fellow rookie Darnell Jackson might be pressed into action.
So might this be a big deal for the Cavs? While it doesn’t seem like any first-round opponent could beat them, the Pistons might give the Cavs trouble if Wallace is out. Detroit has athletic big men in Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace and Jason Maxiell, so don’t rule out the Pistons, assuming they finish No. 8, stretching the Cavs a little longer than expected.
Bet on the NBA at WagerWeb.com
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
