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CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 17: A close up shot of J.R. Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Indiana Pacers during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 17: A close up shot of J.R. Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Indiana Pacers during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)David Liam Kyle/Getty Images

JR Smith to Start Game 3 of Cavaliers vs Pacers After Suffering Hamstring Injury

Alec NathanApr 20, 2017

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters shooting guard J.R. Smith will be in the starting lineup for Thursday night's Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers after he sat the second half of Game 2 with a hamstring injury, according to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd.

Smith initially injured his left hamstring in the first half of Game 2, but his absence over the final 24 minutes sounded more precautionary than anything else.ย 

"I wanted to play," he said after the 117-111 win, according to ESPN.com'sย Dave McMenamin. "They didn't want me to play."

Through two playoff games, Smith has been rather quiet. Over the course of 55 minutes, he's attempted just seven shots (and made three) en route to nine points.ย 

Now back in the starting lineup, Smith will attempt to play a prominent role in handing the Cavaliers a 3-0 series lead as they get ready for Thursday's 7 p.m. ET tipoff against the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.ย 

For more news, rumors and related stories about J.R. Smith, the Cleveland Cavaliersย and the NBA,ย check out the NBA and Cavaliersย streams onย Bleacher Report's app.

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