Report: Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson to start Game 2 vs. Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson to start in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson will start Game 2 of the team’s Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, according to Cleveland.com. 

Chicago leads the best-of-seven series.

Thompson will be joined in the frontcourt by LeBron James and Timofey Mozgov, sending guard Mike Miller back to the bench.

Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert will be the team’s starting guards, as guard J.R. Smith will continue serving his two-game suspension for throwing an elbow at forward Jae Crowder during the third quarter of the Game 4 clinching victory in the first-round over the Boston Celtics.

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Thompson came off the bench of the 99-92 loss in Game 1 and played 37 minutes, scoring four points with eight rebounds and two blocks.

He only started 15 games during the regular season and has come off the bench in each of the team’s previous five playoff games.

The fourth-year pro is averaging 6.6 points and seven rebounds in 27 minutes per game this postseason.

- Scooby Axson