Lue wants better defense from Cavs

So far for Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue, October has been about juggling lineups and trying to get the right mix of players to produce at both ends of the court.

The Cavs will take a 3-2 record into New Orleans on Oct. 28, and when 7 p.m. rolls around for tipoff, Lue will send out his third different starting unit.

Point guard Derrick Rose is back after missing three games with a sprained ankle. He will start along with J.R. Smith at shooting guard, Tristan Thompson at center and LeBron James plus Kevin Love at forward.

Two problems have affected the Cavaliers’ slow start, other than the biggest one — players getting used to each other.

Lue and everyone involved foresaw that challenge before training camp began in late September.

The biggest issue concerning Lue five games into the season is three straight opponents — the Magic, Bulls and Nets — have, coincidentally, made 17 3-pointers. Not so coincidentally, the Cavaliers lost two of those three games, most recently a 112-107 loss to Brooklyn on Oct. 25.

“I mean, 17 3’s again,” Lue told reporters. “You’re not going to win many games like that.”

The Pelicans (2-3) are averaging 11 3’s a game.

The other issue bothering the Cavaliers is Smith, normally one of the best shooters in the NBA, is off to a horrid start.

Smith began the season on the bench, but after three games, Lue decided

it would be better to start Smith and have Dwyane Wade enter the game as a sub — it was Wade’s suggestion — instead of the other way around. The Cavs are 1-1 since the change, but that is inconclusive because Wade sat out the loss to the Nets with a bruised knee.

Smith is 2-for-17 after switching roles with Wade. He is in an uncharacteristic 6-for-34 slump over the last four games and just 3-of-25 on 3-point attempts.

“He’s getting some open looks,” Lue told reporters after the Cavaliers practiced in New York. “I think at times he’s turning some down, just rhythm shots, easier shots. He can make shots. He’s just got to continue to keep playing defensively and give himself defensive effort. His shot will come around.”

The Cavaliers will welcome Rose back and hope Wade can play. Wade had to sit out the loss to the Nets because of the bruised knee suffered in a collision with Bulls guard Kay Felder.

TONY DEJAK — ASSOCIATED PRESS The Magic’s Jonathan Isaac, left, and Nikola Vucevic contest a shot by J.R. Smith. Smith has had a rough time shooting to start the season.