J.R. Smith's absence is big for Cavaliers vs. Bulls
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is out. Don't forget guard J.R. Smith's absence either.
Nearly lost in Love's season-ending shoulder is Smith's absence because of suspension for the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Chicago Bulls.
The Cavaliers will be without two starters for Games 1 and 2 in the series that begins Monday (7 p.m. ET, TNT).
"If all things were equal and I had my choice, I'd love to see Kevin and J.R. out there, but that's not the case," Cavs coach David Blatt said. "We've known that now for the full eight-day period and we've been able to plan accordingly. With the situation as it is, I'm comfortable."
Blatt hasn't revealed his starting lineup, but it makes sense to insert guard Iman Shumpert into the lineup in place of Smith. Shumpert is strong defender, and Blatt stuck up for Shumpert's offense.
"I want everybody to be fair to Iman," Blatt said. "He can score and he can put points on the board and we need him to do so given the situation we're in right now. Now is he going to be a guy that you're running multiple screens for so he can come off and shoot like a (Bulls forward Mike) Dunleavy? No. Or a J.R.? But he's a guy that can put the ball in the basket. He's a guy that can create some offense."
What Blatt does in Love's absence is less clear. He could make forward Tristan Thompson a starter, giving the Cavaliers some power to match Chicago's big and long interior with Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol.
But that would disrupt the spacing the Cavaliers are used to with Love on the floor. Blatt could go with James Jones or Shawn Marion to keep that spacing, at least early in the game, and maintain Thompson's energetic presence off the bench. Mike Miller, who did not play much in the second half of the season, could get increased playing time, too.
While the Cavaliers are down starters, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau put a fine point on Cleveland's situation, saying, "Any time you have LeBron (James) and Kyrie (Irving), you're not shorthanded."
The Bulls, especially Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich and Joakim Noah, are familiar with James' playoff game. James' Cavaliers eliminated the Bulls in 2010, and James' Heat teams eliminated the Bulls in the conference finals in 2011 and the conference semifinals in 2013. Not one of those series lasted more than five games.
In 15 playoff games against the Bulls, James has averaged 27.1 points, eight rebounds and 7.5 assists and has shot 48.7% from the field and 44.1% on three-pointers.
"Every year is different. Yes, I've had success, but that doesn't mean anything today," James said. "My approach is always the same, but every playoff run is different. I need to make sure not only myself but my guys are ready for a very competitive, well-coached ball club."
Chicago employs a physical style, but it hasn't had much impact on James, who has an ability to remain composed in those circumstances. Still, the Cavs expect the Bulls to embody their coach, Tom Thibodeau, who likes a tough, grinding style.
"Physicality is part of the game, and as I said during the Boston series, physicality is one thing and crossing the line is another thing," Blatt said. "The game of basketball is a beautiful game and the line shouldn't be crossed. I expect it to be a series where both teams are competitive and playing hard and not crossing the line and keeping our game beautiful."
In the 2013 playoffs, Bulls big man Nazr Mohammed shoved James in Game 3, and earlier that season, Hinrich tackled – sound wrap-up technique, too – James in the game the Bulls ending Miami's 27-game streak. In the same game, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson combined to take down James as he drove to the rim.
Hard fouls will be a part of this series. "They've done a great just being physical with everyone and we just have to ready for that physicality and a physical series," Irving said.
Blatt expressed more concern for Cleveland's eight-day layoff between the end of its first-round series and the start of the Bulls series.
"Our opponent obviously played games during that time. I hope we respond well. Exactly what that's going to look like initially, it's hard for me to say. I don't know with this group," Blatt said.
The Cavaliers have had some 5-on-5 runs and other conditioning drills to stay in shape, but Irving, the postseason neophyte, noted practice cannot simulate the intensity of a playoff game. James has maintained his business-like approach, trying to make sure his teammates are prepared for the next step.
"We should be even more focused with our intensity because it's the next round," James said. "It doesn't matter if guys are in or out. When you advance, the game gets harder, the competition gets better for obvious reasons. So you should already be focused."