They’ve used eight starting lineups in their first 23 games, and could reach No. 9 by next week.
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Former No. 1 overall pick and three-time All-Star had surgery in June to fix a fractured left knee cap. And that’s perfectly fine with them – for now. Owners of Mo Williams and Matthew Dellavedova should get ready to move on. “We’re getting there because we’re getting guys healthy”. “I wanted them to go undefeated until they played us”. But the injury bug tends to bite him very frequently, as noticed the last few years both with Cleveland and the New York Knicks.
The Cavaliers saw Iman Shumpert return for the first time this season against the Magic last Friday, but the guard will be out again for a stretch after suffering a groin injury.
Injuries have plagued Cleveland since the 2015 playoffs, but coach David Blatt’s squad has weathered the adversity and still sits atop the Eastern Conference at this juncture. I just think it’s in the Cavaliers’ best interest to wait it out.
These two teams split games in each of the last three seasons, with Cleveland winning 108-98 at home in the most recent tilt. The Celtics looked better in their loss to the Warriors, and it was a closer, more interesting game. The point is, the Cavaliers are a whole other animal, and slowing down the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Love will be no easy task. Shooting 5 for 7 with 14 points, Shumpert reintroduced his importance to the Cavaliers team. But he’s been good defensively all season. “It had to come to an end sooner or later, but they had a hell of a run”. “Get a chance to rest”, Westbrook said after the game. “I feel like that is dictating what we’re doing offensively, I mean, we’re playing better, talking communicating”.
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Additionally, the Cavs aren’t in any sort of desperate place where Irving is needed back right now. In the meantime, there are more glamorous stories elsewhere.
