The Cleveland Cavaliers will welcome back J.R. Smith from a two-game suspension Friday night, but according to Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt, “there’s a chance” Iman Shumpert will sit out Game 3 in Chicago against the Bulls.
Shumpert suffered a left groin strain in the Cavs’ 106-91 victory in Game 2.
Shumpert has averaged 18.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in the first two games of the series.
Per the News-Herald:
Blatt said after the Game 2 victory Shumpert might need one of those “miracle 48-hour recoveries.” […] “(He’s) feeling a little bit better than we originally expected and that’s a positive, but we’re monitoring (it) and hoping that he’ll continue to progress,” Blatt said.
“First thing is that let’s hope he’s healthy and he’s able to play significant minutes, probably part of that will be determined by how healthy he is or not,” Blatt said. “But the good news is that we got J.R. coming back and J.R. has done great work for us this year. We’re hopeful we have the both of them because we need them.”
Smith averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in the sweep of the Celtics. […] “J.R. for us has been a high-level, two-way performer,” Blatt said. “He’s given us a contribution at both ends of the court. Obviously, he’s a great 3-point shooter, and he’s a courageous offensive player. He’s not afraid to take responsibility and he’s not afraid to take big shots. It’s good to have a guy with that kind of confidence and that kind of courage.”
