After 12 games in the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers look nothing like a championship contender. Not only have they lost seven games so far, but they are one of the worst teams in the East and they have numerous problems. One of the biggest problems they have to deal with are injuries, and they haven't been able to figure out the best lineup to use when their players are out.

Derrick Rose, who has appeared in only seven games this season, will miss the Cavaliers' next game. Iman Shumpert will start in his place as the Cavaliers will try to bounce back and beat the Dallas Mavericks.

This will be Shumpert's third start of the season and the Cavaliers are expecting a lot from him as they cannot afford to lose another game against a bad team.

Derrick Rose's injury

Derrick Rose is dealing with an ankle injury once again. The point guard injured his ankle against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cavaliers have no timetable on his injury. Rose injured his ankle twice against the Bucks in a very short period, but this time it might be more serious and he may not come back to action for a few weeks.

Rose has performed very well this season, but his inability to stay healthy has affected the team. The point guard is averaging 14.3 points on 47.0 percent shooting and he looks very comfortable on the court.

If he comes back healthy and the Cavaliers manage to preserve him for the postseason, he will definitely be a big piece of the team and an x-factor.

The Cavaliers needed Rose to stay healthy until Isaiah Thomas returns, but it hasn't been the case so far.

Thomas may return in December, but considering that Rose can't stay healthy, the Cavaliers will deal with many problems. With Thomas and Rose both out, the team doesn't have a reliable playmaker to run the floor and win games.

Iman Shumpert has averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds so far in the season, which simply isn't good enough.

Even as a starter, he can't be as good as Rose, so the Cavaliers are at a big disadvantage with him running the floor.

Upcoming schedule

Cleveland Cavaliers will play their next game against the Dallas Mavericks, who are the worst team in the entire league. With a 2-10 record, the Mavericks are expected to lose against the Cavaliers.

After Dallas, the Cavaliers will go to New York to play against the Knicks. Their four-game road trip will end in Charlotte as they will face off against the Hornets. With two games under .500, the Cavaliers could get back to a winning record, but considering their tendency to lose against bad teams, it might not happen.
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