CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs will be close to full strength once again on Sunday night.
Center Jarrett Allen, listed as questionable because of a strained groin, will return from a two-game absence and go back into the starting lineup. Even though the Cavs were taking a cautious approach with their Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Allen was able to conduct various workouts over the last few days, testing the injury and receiving the go-ahead.
While Allen will be back, the Cavs are going to be without usual starting small forward Isaac Okoro for at least another game. It will be Okoro’s third consecutive absence because of soreness in his knee that has been giving him trouble for a few weeks.
“We need to get him built to a place better than he was,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “If Isaac doesn’t play, it’s because he’s in real discomfort. We’ve got to make sure we’re taking the steps to get him to a place of comfort and safety and that’s more important.”
Swingman Caris LeVert has started the last two games in Okoro’s place, with Cleveland going to a small-ball look. However, sources tell cleveland.com that Bickerstaff will be making a change for Sunday night, re-inserting do-it-all forward Dean Wade into the starting group and creating a jumbo-sized look with Wade flanking Allen and Evan Mobley.
During Friday’s loss against the Knicks, Wade received extended playing time for the first time in a few weeks — and Bickerstaff liked what he saw in those 13 minutes.
“Obviously the size, we keep talking about that, but his ability to space the floor, how he moves your offense, how he defends multiple positions, the versatility that you can have with him on the floor,” Bickerstaff said of Wade. “Again, I think trying to build and find that versatility. He fits that mark.”
Sunday will be Wade’s 10th start. He is averaging 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds this season.
