CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 08: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Chicago Bulls tries to get off a shot after being fouled by Dewayne Dedmon #3 of the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center on December 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have announced the starting lineup for their regular season opener against the Boston Celtics next week, and it includes new signing Dwyane Wade.
The contest will be played at Quicken Loans Arena on Oct. 17. Also on the starting lineup are point guard Derrick Rose, small forward LeBron James, Jae Crowder and Kevin Love. Wade — a 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion who signed with the Cavs on Sept. 27 — will replace JR Smith at shooting guard.
Cleveland has lost all three of its preseason games thus far against Atlanta, Indiana and Washington. The Cavs — who lost to the Golden State Warriors in last year’s finals — next host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.
James has been sidelined since the second day of training camp with a sprained left ankle, although he is expected to rejoin the starting lineup for the final two preseason games against the Bulls and against the Orlando Magic on Friday.
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“It’s been hard since LeBron’s been out, but just something we’re going to do to start the season and see how it works,” said coach Tyronn Lue.
The Cavs’ starting lineup will probably change again once new signing Isaiah Thomas returns from a torn labrum in his right hip. According to ESPN, he is expected to return by late December.
The season opener will thus mark the first time James and Wade have played on the same team since their last year together with the Miami Heat in 2014, when the team fell to the Spurs in the NBA Finals in five games. The pair helped lead the Heat to four straight Finals and two NBA championships (2012, 2013).
Forward Jae Crowder — another new Cavs signing from the Celtics — recently said he has noticed a difference in culture between the two teams.
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 08: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Chicago Bulls tries to get off a shot after being fouled by Dewayne Dedmon #3 of the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center on December 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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