J.R. Smith starts for Cavs vs. Thunder

A week or so removed from being banished to the bench, J.R. Smith is starting for the Cavaliers.

With Sam Dekker injured, Cavs coach Larry Drew said before Wednesday’s game against the Thunder that Smith would start at small forward. Smith’s insertion into the starting lineup bumps Cedi Osman to the four.

“We’ll see what it looks like,” Drew said. “I think it gives us better matchups with Sam out if we do have to play just a tad smaller at the four spot, to me it just makes more sense with Cedi. Cedi’s got some size to him, but I don’t think if you look at him you think he’s a four man. But for matchup purposes it actually works.”

Dekker was starting in place of the injured Kevin Love before he sprained his ankle against the Magic. He is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.

Drew also said that Kyle Korver, who played four minutes against Orlando, and David Nwaba, who didn’t play at all, will see time with Dekker out. He also said that he’s still looking for the right lineup combinations.

“We’ll look and see what matchups would be with David in there versus when Kyle’s in there,” Drew said. “David’s definitely going to have to be playing some minutes now. I had a good talk with him, we spent a little bit more time taking him through plays this morning. So chances are he will be seeing some minutes until Sam gets back.”