The Cleveland Cavaliers changed their starting lineup for the fifth time this season though this is the third starting lineup decision unaffected by an injury to a player other than Isaiah Thomas.
While the Cavs started off the season with Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Jae Crowder and Kevin Love, J.R. Smith was originally slotted to start in front of Wade in training camp. Ultimately, due to the lack of floor space a backcourt of Rose and Wade provided and Wade’s inability to get in a rhythm as a tertiary scoring option, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue reinserted Smith into the starting lineup and put Wade on the bench.