Just yesterday, the Cleveland Cavaliers had a very interesting looking lineup in practice as they prepared for their Saturday night game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The lineup was the exact same one they used last season when they made it to the NBA Finals, except with Derrick Rose as the starting point guard in place of the departed Kyrie Irving. However, reports indicate there might be one change to that for tonight's game.
Derrick Rose update
The Cleveland Cavaliers were hoping to get Derrick Rose back after he missed three games with a sprained ankle.
When he was in practice with the first team during practice on Friday, it seemed that Rose was ready to return. However, as the point guard said when he was injured, Rose will come back when he and the team know that he won't risk further injury to his ankle.
According to ESPN beat writer Dave McMenamin, it looks like Derrick Rose might not be back in action tonight. The Cleveland Cavaliers listed him as questionable heading into the game against the Pelicans.
If Derrick Rose is not back in time for tonight's game, there is a food chance that LeBron James starts at point guard again for the Cavaliers. That also likely means that Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson could both start, as the two big men both practiced with the first-team on Friday.
When the season started, Tristan Thompson was moved to the bench while Kevin Love was moved from power forward to center. If LeBron James is running the point, the Cleveland Cavaliers might bring back in Thompson for his defense and have Love back at power to work for shots.
Dwyane Wade questionable as well
On top of the Cleveland Cavaliers listing Derrick Rose as questionable, they also have Dwyane Wade listed as questionable as well.
Wade opened the season with three straight single-digit scoring games and asked to move to the second-team, which moved JR Smith into the starting lineup again.
In his first game as a bench player, Dwyane Wade had the best game of his young Cleveland Cavaliers career, hitting double-digits for the first time this season. However, in the same game, Wade injured his back and has been out of action since that time.
Unlike Derrick Rose, there might be a chance that Dwyane Wade could play against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight. Wade went through a workout earlier this morning with JR Smith. If the Cleveland Cavaliers start Wade, he will remain a backup to Smith and can work limited minutes to protect his back.
