Cavaliers News: Larry Nance Jr. Out of Playoff Rotation vs. Raptors

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

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." 

1. CJ McCollum and the Blazers Snapped Postseason Losing Streak for "Jennifer"

   

2. Jordan, Irving & Paul Invest in Plant-Based Food as Vegetarianism Sweeps NBA

   

3. Boogie, Luka and the Rest of the NBA Got Some Wild Techs This Season

   

4. Jarrett Allen Is One of the NBA’s Hottest Rim Protectors

   

5. Dwyane Wade's Jersey Swaps Created Epic Moments This NBA Season

   

6. OKC’s Russell Westbrook Makes NBA History While Honoring Nipsey Hussle

   

7. Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker Makes History with Scoring Tear

   

8. 29 Years Ago Today, Michael Jordan Dropped Career-High 69 Points

   

9. Chris Bosh Is Getting His No. 1 Jersey Raised to the Rafters in Miami

   

10. Steph Curry Returns to Houston for the First Time Since His Moon Landing Troll

    

11. Lou Williams Is Coming for a Repeat of Sixth Man of the Year

    

12. Step Aside Lakers, Pat Beverley Has the Clippers Stealing the LA Shine

    

13. LeBron Passes Jordan on All-Time Scoring List, Keeps Shredding NBA Record Books

    

14. Trae Young's Hot Streak Is Heating Up the ROY Race with Luka Doncic

    

15. LeBron James and 2 Chainz Form a Superteam to Release a New Album

    

16. Miami Heat Legend Dwyane Wade's #OneLastDance Dominated February

    

17. Warriors Fans Go Wild After Unforgettable Moments and Gifts from Steph Curry

    

18. Eight Years Ago, the Nuggets Traded Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks

    

19. Two Years Ago, the Kings Shipped Superstar DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans

    

20. 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.