Report: Cavs Reveal Starting Lineup for Tonight’s Game vs. Bucks

Published by

Brad Sullivan

9 years ago

The wounded Cleveland Cavaliers once again will be readjusting their starting lineup in the wake of J.R. Smith’s pending thumb surgery and Kevin Love’s continued pain from a left knee contusion. Due to those absences, any thoughts of resting either LeBron James or Kyrie Irving for Wednesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t in the cards.

Smith’s spot in the lineup will be taken by DeAndre Liggins and Love is expected to once again be replaced by Richard Jefferson.

Though resting either James or Irving wasn’t necessarily part of the Cavaliers’ plan, they were hoping to allow them to put in less time on the court after the team’s 114-108 overtime victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday night. James played 47 minutes and Irving 45 in the win.

Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue gave a simple reason for the decision:

“They both said they feel great,” Lue said.

The Cavs have a Friday night home game against the Brooklyn Nets after tonight, which will lead into their highly-anticipated matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.