After missing three games, Iman Shumpert should be back in action on Friday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Toronto Raptors.
Until the Cavaliers lost to the Detroit Pistons 96-88 on February 22, they had been asserting themselves again as the Eastern Conference’s top team. With five straight wins including a commanding 115-92 defeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder, they were integrating Kevin Love into Tyronn Lue’s offensive plan and generally proving they still rule the East.
One missed member of the team, though, primarily just because of his defense, has been Iman Shumpert. He’s missed the last three games due to a problem with his left shoulder, but Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com has now reported that Lue expects him to go on Friday night against the Raptors.
Tyronn Lue says #Cavs G Iman Shumpert (shoulder) is expected to go tonight against Raptors. He'll go through shootaround.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 26, 2016
Alternatively, Dave McMenamin of ESPN has reported that Shumpert is undecided about playing, which adds a little more uncertainty after Lue saying that he’s expected to go.
Iman Shumpert says his L shoulder is "getting there." Didn't do contact drills with it yet. Will test it pregame. Undecided on playing yet.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 26, 2016
Despite the Cavaliers’ plethora of talent, highlighted by their Big 3 with the great LeBron James, the Raptors are still following closely behind them at second place in the Eastern Conference. At 38-18 after racking up a 18-5 record since the start of January, they’re just three wins shy of the Cavs’ 41-15 record.
It’s still unlikely they’ll take over for the rest of the regular season and finish ahead of the reigning NBA finalists, but Friday night’s game will be a good indication of just how these teams can match up. With an improved bench and Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan playing at the highest level of their careers, the Raptors really shouldn’t be overlooked.
As for Shumpert’s impact, it’s obviously about his perimeter defense. Although he’s far from elite status, the offensive rating of the Cavaliers’ opponents does drop by 3.5 points per 100 possessions with Shumpert in the game.
If he returns on Friday, he’ll have his work cut out for him against the duo of Lowry and DeRozan. Expect to see the latter come out on top against in this backcourt matchup if their shots start falling and DeRozan can get to the line.