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Cleveland Cavaliers: Iman Shumpert Gets Huge Opportunity As Smith Goes Down

By Nathan Beighle

Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) react to a call as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) complains from the floor during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) react to a call as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) complains from the floor during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sadly, the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t get to see J.R. Smith in second half of game 2, but his injury did open up a huge opportunity for Iman Shumpert.

The Cleveland Cavaliers came out of halftime with a five point lead but no J.R. Smith. Instead, Iman Shumpert broke into the rotation for the first time this playoffs. He ended with 20 (all second half) minutes.

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This could honestly be a good thing for the Cavaliers. Smith had played three halves this postseason and earned the team’s worst net rating at -6.2. Shumpert, in just one half of play, played with incredible energy as he switched onto Paul George. Shumpert ended this game with 5 points on 2-of-3 shooting and an impressed LeBron James.

Obviously if the King gave Shump high praise for his play and readiness, Coach Lue will also. In that case, Shumpert, in this one half of play, may have just secured himself minutes the entire rest of the postseason. Shump ended with a +17.3 net rating and helped the Cavs bolster their 19-point lead which they eventually squandered.

Smith was taken out with a left hamstring injury, and if not serious, will probably retain the majority of his minutes. This was a good trial run for Shumpert, and it will be exciting to see if he can continue to up Thursday.

The lineup that was used for the majority of Shump’s minutes was the Love-Irving-Shumpert-James-Thompson lineup. They scored 35.0 points in 17.1 minutes of action. Advanced stats are also a thing of beauty. This lineup was far superior than we give it credit for. In those minutes, it had a 104.4 offensive rating and an extremely impressive 79.8 defensive rating.

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The Cavs, who have struggled defensively, could use this lineup when up in games and trying to close. A quality Shumpert adds something invaluable to this team, and they will be set if he can keep it up.