NBA Notes: Cavs, Jarrett Allen, Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr., Pacers

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers got a big piece back Friday and it showed right away.

Jarrett Allen returned after missing 10 games with knee tendinitis and wasted no time making an impact, scoring eight points in the first four minutes. He finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes in the win over the Heat.

“It was great,” Allen said. “Shoutout to Kenny, he drew up the first play for me. I usually don’t get the first play sometimes, but he wanted to get me going, wanted to get me back in the groove of things and from there, things just started rolling for me.”

Coach Kenny Atkinson had him on a minutes restriction, but the early return looked like a difference-maker. So did Max Strus.

Strus, still working his way back from offseason foot surgery, led Cleveland with 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting, knocking down eight threes in another encouraging step forward.

Bucks

The Bucks could be down a key piece the rest of the way.

Guard Kevin Porter Jr. is out again Saturday with a right knee issue, and coach Doc Rivers didn’t sound optimistic about a return.

“I’d be surprised,” Rivers said when asked if Porter could play again this season, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Porter has appeared in just 38 games, dealing with multiple injuries throughout the year. When healthy, he’s produced, averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds.

Availability has been the issue. With a player option looming this summer, his situation is one to watch.

Pacers

The  Pacers have some decisions coming.

Rookie guard Kam Jones has a partially guaranteed deal for next season, and the team could explore options, including pushing back his guarantee date to get a longer look, per Tony East of Forbes.

Meanwhile, Ben Sheppard is showing growth.

“I’ve been able to experiment within my game and my comfort level this season,” Sheppard said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “Just trying to be more aggressive and take my opportunities as they come.”

Indiana’s roster is getting tighter, and upcoming draft decisions could play a role in how things shake out.

But for the rest of this season, it’s about evaluation, and opportunity.