In a series that's quickly slipping away, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a 2-0 hole against the Detroit Pistons—and all eyes are on Evan Mobley. The young big man's rebounding performance in Game 2 has become the talk of the town, but for all the wrong reasons. Mobley managed just a single rebound in the loss, a startling stat line for a player who averaged nine boards a night during the regular season.

Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, however, are quick to come to their teammate's defense. "Evan contributed to them not getting a lot of offensive rebounds. He took himself out of plays to make sure someone else got the rebounds," they explained, pointing out that Mobley's impact goes beyond the box score. "There's a reason why other guys had many rebounds... There's a reason why the smalls have six, five, and four."

Mitchell led the charge for Cleveland with 31 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the team's struggles. While Allen also played well, the Cavaliers' rebounding woes proved costly against a Pistons squad that thrives on second-chance opportunities. James Harden also underperformed, adding to the team's frustration.

For a player of Mobley's caliber—someone who regularly posts double-doubles during the season—the one-rebound game is a glaring anomaly. He scored just nine points in 36 minutes of action, leaving many to question whether he's asserting himself enough on the court. As the series shifts back to Cleveland for Game 3, the Cavaliers will need Mobley to rediscover his aggressiveness on the boards. With their backs against the wall, playing with force and urgency isn't just a suggestion—it's a necessity.