TORONTO -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will use their 11th different starting lineup on Monday night against the Toronto Raptors.
With three of their regulars ruled out -- Jarrett Allen (lower back contusion), Lamar Stevens (non-COVID-related illness) and Kevin Love (fractured thumb) -- sources tell cleveland.com the Cavs will insert rugged swingman Isaac Okoro into the starting lineup alongside Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade and Evan Mobley.
Monday will be Okoro’s fourth start this season -- and first since he was moved into a full-time reserve role on Nov. 4. Mobley, the usual starting power forward, will be making his third start this season at center for Allen, who will be held out for a second consecutive game following a nasty fall Friday.
That’s not the only change for Cleveland on Monday. Backup guard Caris LeVert will return to the lineup after a four-game absence because of an ankle injury.
In 20 games this season, Okoro is averaging just 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds. During Friday’s loss to the Bucks, Okoro matched his season-high with 13 points. On Sunday night, Okoro followed that up with a seven-point-seven-rebound performance that helped earn him a spot start.
Because of injuries, illness and ineffectiveness at various points this season, Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been forced to shuffle his starting lineup. Monday’s group is expected to be temporary, but it depends on the availability of both Allen and Stevens moving forward. Allen went through an individual workout prior to Monday’s game versus Toronto.
After wrapping up their three-game trip Monday night, the Cavs will return home for back-to-back games against Philadelphia and Orlando.
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