Larry Nance Jr., Rodney Hood to start vs. Pistons

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue is making changes to the team’s starting lineup.

At his pregame press conference before Monday’s Cavs-Pistons game, Lue said that Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood will start for the Cavs, moving rookie Cedi Osman to the bench.

Nance is starting in place of the injured Tristan Thompson, who the team announced on Sunday would miss time with an ankle injury. Lue indicated that the new starting lineup would remain in tact for at least as long as Thompson was out.

“Nance is starting and he’s been our boost off the bench defensively and his energy,” Lue said. “Now we need someone like Cedi to come off the bench and give us that same boost and that same energy defensive-wise.”

Nance is averaging 10 points and 6.6 rebounds per game since joining the Cavs and Monday will be his first start with Cleveland. Hood is averaging 10.5 points for the Cavs and has started one previous game since being acquired by the Jazz at the trade deadline.

Lue also said rookie Ante Zizic, who has played more in the G-League with the Canton Charge than with the Cavs this season, would see time at center behind Nance.