With several players ruled out due to injuries (Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Jeff Green), the Cleveland Cavaliers will be forced to present a different rotation in Monday night’s home game against the Detroit Pistons — one that will likely include an altered starting lineup, according to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
As Vardon reports in his tweet, Cavs forward Cedi Osman, who has been a member of the starting lineup for quite some time as a result of the team’s injuries, was seen wearing a white uniform during Monday morning’s practice session at Cleveland Clinic Courts, which means (but does not guarantee) fans could see him running with the second unit.
Thompson, who recently learned the sex of his baby with Khloe Kardashian, suffered a sprained right ankle in Saturday night’s 126-117 loss to the Denver Nuggets. According to multiple reports, he’s expected to be sidelined for “several games.”
Thompson stepped on the heel of a Nuggets player in the first half on Saturday. He went on to play 13 minutes in the second half — finishing the game with 12 points and seven rebounds — but experienced “significant swelling” overnight, according to the team.
Newly-acquired big man Larry Nance Jr. will get the starting nod at center in place of Thompson. The former 27th overall pick (2015) has played extremely well for the Cavs since joining the team before the trade deadline. In his eight appearances with his new team thus far, Nance Jr. has racked up averages of 10.0 points on 60.4 percent shooting from the field, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals.
Jeff Green will be held out of Monday night’s game against the Pistons due to a bout of back soreness. The former Georgetown Hoya underwent an MRI scan over the weekend. No structural damage was found, but he’ll be listed as day-to-day for now.
In lieu of their injury situation, the Cavs have recalled center Ante Zizic from the Canton Charge (G-League affiliate). The 6-11 Croatian has made five appearances with the Charge this season, averaging 17.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game.
Monday night’s Cavs-Pistons game is set to tip inside Quicken Loans Arena at 7:00 p.m. EST with FOX Sports Ohio and FOX Sports Detroit having live broadcast coverage.