Cleveland, OH — The Cleveland Cavaliers will start Max Strus at small forward in Sunday’s decisive Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Detroit Pistons, the team confirmed at 6:44 p.m. ET.
The switch moves Dean Wade to the bench after he opened the first six games of the series. Wade, valued primarily for his defense, has averaged 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22.7 minutes, attempting just 14 shots and converting seven of them.
Strus has been more involved offensively, supplying 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 29.2 minutes while hitting 38.3% from three-point range. Head coach Kenny Atkinson is leaning on that production as Cleveland searches for answers against a Detroit defense that finished the regular season ranked second in the NBA.
According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, offense is the primary motive behind the adjustment, though Atkinson has also highlighted Strus’s energy, tenacity and on-ball pressure during the series.
The coach made a similar move in the first round against Toronto: Wade started Games 1–4, Strus took over for Games 5–6, and Wade returned to the lineup for Game 7.
Tip-off for Sunday’s Game 7 is set for Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Source: HoopsRumors
