Cavaliers News: Larry Nance Jr. Out of Playoff Rotation vs. Raptors
May 3, 2018
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed Thursday that Larry Nance Jr. has been moved out of his rotation for the team's second-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
Instead, Lue will roll with Tristan Thompson—who emerged as a key contributor in the Cavaliers' Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers in Round 1. Thompson followed that performance up by posting 14 points and 12 rebounds in the Cavaliers' Game 1 win over the Raptors.
"We talked and discussed it," Lue said, according to Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon. "Just said he has to be ready, understand what we're trying to do. From Tristan's performance in Game 7, I thought he earned the right to play and he produced in Game 1. Everyone's got to be ready. You never know when your name is going to be called, foul trouble, anything.
"(Nance) understood and he's good with it."
CJ McCollum and the Blazers Snapped Postseason Losing Streak for "Jennifer"
Jordan, Irving & Paul Invest in Plant-Based Food as Vegetarianism Sweeps NBA
Boogie, Luka and the Rest of the NBA Got Some Wild Techs This Season
Jarrett Allen Is One of the NBA’s Hottest Rim Protectors
Dwyane Wade's Jersey Swaps Created Epic Moments This NBA Season
OKC’s Russell Westbrook Makes NBA History While Honoring Nipsey Hussle
Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker Makes History with Scoring Tear
29 Years Ago Today, Michael Jordan Dropped Career-High 69 Points
Chris Bosh Is Getting His No. 1 Jersey Raised to the Rafters in Miami
Steph Curry Returns to Houston for the First Time Since His Moon Landing Troll
Lou Williams Is Coming for a Repeat of Sixth Man of the Year
Step Aside Lakers, Pat Beverley Has the Clippers Stealing the LA Shine
LeBron Passes Jordan on All-Time Scoring List, Keeps Shredding NBA Record Books
Trae Young's Hot Streak Is Heating Up the ROY Race with Luka Doncic
LeBron James and 2 Chainz Form a Superteam to Release a New Album
Miami Heat Legend Dwyane Wade's #OneLastDance Dominated February
Warriors Fans Go Wild After Unforgettable Moments and Gifts from Steph Curry
Eight Years Ago, the Nuggets Traded Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks
Two Years Ago, the Kings Shipped Superstar DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans
The NBA All-Star Game Will Be Competitive Again If the League Raises the Stakes
Nance played an averaged of 19.7 minutes per game against the Pacers, but he wasn't particularly effective.
According to NBA.com's lineup data, the Cavaliers have been outscored by 9.4 points per 100 possessions with Nance on the floor during the playoffs. Conversely, the defending Eastern Conference champions have been outscored by just 0.4 points per 100 possessions with Thompson patrolling the paint.
Broken down further, Cleveland has logged a team-best offensive rating of 109.7 in Thompson's 84 postseason minutes. With Nance in his place, that mark has plummeted to 101.3.
The Cavaliers will try and establish a 2-0 series lead when Game 2 tips off Thursday night at 6 p.m. ET at Air Canada Centre.