The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Thompson out three weeks
Calf injury sidelines defensive stalwart, dealing another blow to Cavs, who have lost four in a row
The Cavaliers have lost four straight games, and things are about to get more difficult for the defending Eastern Conference champions.
Starting center Tristan Thompson will miss three or four weeks with a strained left calf, the Cavs announced on Nov. 2. Thompson
was injured Nov. 1 in the second quarter of the 124-107 loss to the Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena. He left the building on crutches.
Thompson would miss 14 games if he is sidelined four weeks. Jae Crowder will move into the starting lineup. Channing Frye will get more playing time with the second unit while Thompson mends, Coach Tyronn Lue said Nov. 2 after practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence.
The injury to one of the Cavaliers’ better defensive players comes when the Cavs are looking for answers on defense. They have lost five of six games and in that stretch gave up at least 112 points each time. The Pelicans scored 123 on the Cavs Oct. 28 in New Orleans. That was a seasonhigh allowed until the Pacers topped that.
Lue wants to stop the bleeding before the Cavaliers play the Wizards in Washington on Nov. 3
“I think the offense is having a negative effect on the defense,” Lue said. “When we’re not making shots and not scoring, it becomes mental. When you’re not scoring, your defense drops.”
Starting guard J.R. Smith is off to a miserable start. He is averaging 5.5 points a game and shooting 27.1 percent from the field. He started the season on the bench but was moved into
a starting role after three games when he swapped spots with Dwyane Wade.
Wade isn’t burning out the scoreboard, either. He is averaging 7.7 points a game.
Lue said part of the problem for the Cavaliers goes back to conditioning. Opponents have been running fast-paced offenses, and it shows on the scoreboard. In the shoot-around before the Pacers’ game, Cavs’ star LeBron James said the team has to improve transition defense.
“They’re doing everything
they can to get in shape,” Lue said. “They’re doing the right things. As coaches, we’re trying to figure out everything we can to help them — easier shots, better shots, better possessions. We’re all working, trying to be positive and doing the right thing.”
Guard Iman Shumpert will miss the game with the Wizards because of a sore knee. He could be back for the game against Atlanta on Nov. 5 at The Q, but more likely should be back for the game with Milwaukee on Nov. 7 at The Q.