Cavaliers without Rajon Rondo, Lamar Stevens Wednesday at Bulls
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to punch above their weight and began Tuesday's NBA action fourth in the Eastern Conference standings but just one-and-a-half games back of the first-place Chicago Bulls ahead of Wednesday's showdown in Chicago. However, Cleveland will be without some familiar names for that contest.
Chris Fedor of The Plain Dealer reports that Cavaliers guard Rajon Rondo and forward Lamar Stevens will both miss Wednesday's matchup:
Fedor adds that Isaac Okoro, who recently returned from a left elbow sprain, is on track to be in the starting lineup at Chicago.
The Cavaliers officially acquired Rondo via a three-team trade in early January, but the 35-year-old hasn't played in more than a week because of his hamstring. Stevens, meanwhile, has produced impressive performances since the start of the new year and, per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), went for a career-high 23 points in last Wednesday's 111-91 victory at the Utah Jazz. He missed Monday's home win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Previously, the Cavs lost guards Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio to season-ending injuries but nevertheless improved to 27-18 on the campaign on Monday afternoon. They have since been given a spot on national television for the March 6 home game against the Toronto Raptors:
After Wednesday's encounter, Cleveland will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
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