After a pair of losses over the weekend in Los Angeles to the mediocre Clippers and lowly Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers were overtaken by the Pacers and are really hurting in the standings.
The main reason for that, according to LeBron James, is the Cavs (38-28) are hurting off the court as well.
Following Sunday’s 127-113 blowout loss to the Lakers, James lamented to the media that Cleveland was playing without Kevin Love (fractured left hand), Tristan Thompson (sprained right ankle), Rodney Hood (lower back strain) and Cedi Osman (left hip flexor).
“You want to get the most from whoever is playing, but sometimes you can’t overcome this many injuries,” James told reporters. “We have pretty much five guys out of our top nine or top 10 of our rotation not playing because of injuries. It’s next man up, but sometimes you just fall short.”
Sources told ESPN Cleveland’s coaching staff is worried about overworking its healthy players, which is why Cavs coach Tyronn Lue gave rookie center Ante Zizic and two-way contract player John Holland significant minutes during Sunday’s loss.
Given how the Cavs fared, he might not do that again, health concerns or not.
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