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

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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." 

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.