Kyle Korver is bound to make his second straight start tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, keeping the same starting lineup the Cleveland Cavaliers had in a bounce-back game against the Phoenix Suns. Korver knocked out five 3-pointers against the Suns, totaling 22 points in the outing.
Larry Nance Jr, who started at center and finished with four points, two rebounds, and a block during his 14 minutes of play, had his right hamstring wrapped at shootaround. If he’s unable to go, rookie Ante Zizic would get the nod at center.
If that takes place, coach Tyronn Lue will be forced to move Jeff Green out of the starting lineup to clean up backup duties for Zizic with a battered frontcourt.
Shooting guard Rodney Hood could play tonight after missing the last two games with lower back soreness, but could be on a minutes restriction, though he could become the man filling in the starting lineup if Nance isn’t able to suit up tonight.
The Wyoming prodict missed a vast part of the second half against the Suns for “precautionary” reasons, but his hamstring tightness hasn’t shown any signs of improvement.
Nance is one of the few big men remaining in this roster after Kevin Love is still weeks away from a return from a broken hand and Tristan Thompson is yet to be reincorporated into team activities following his ankle injury.
The Cavs are only 5-5 in their last 10 games, only a half a game away from the third-place Indiana Pacers.
