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Predicting the Cleveland Cavaliers 2017 Playoff Rotation

By Duane Rohrbacher

Mar 9, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) and forward LeBron James (23) talk to referee Justin Van Duyne (64) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) and forward LeBron James (23) talk to referee Justin Van Duyne (64) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) celebrates his three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) celebrates his three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Cavs projected playoff starting lineup

Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson

Shumpert might get a few starts in the playoffs at the 2, but the other four positions are 100% set barring injury. Looking at minutes, Irving, James, and Love are going to get between 35-40 minutes a game in the playoffs.

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Thompson is going to get at least 25 minutes per game, if not more. The two-guard will probably get a little less consistent minutes, mostly because the Cavs have three solid two guards in Smith, Shumpert, and Korver. Smith should get the majority of these minutes, but Korver and Shumpert both pose threats to his consistency.

There are only 240 minutes in an NBA game (5 players x 48 minutes), so, estimating conservatively, between the Cavs top four rotation players, they will be down to 110 minutes between the other four or five guys. Love, James, Irving, and TT will most likely get 35 minutes per night if it isn’t a blowout.

Of course, this changes as the playoffs advance, with the starters getting more minutes deeper into the playoffs. This article is about the entire playoffs, not just the finals. Though, the Finals will certainly be dominated by the starters and probably just a couple other key players.