Cavaliers move Thompson into starting lineup, Jae Crowder to bench

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue decided Thursday to make changes to the team's lineup after the Cavaliers' recent slump, moving forward Tristan Thompson back into the starting lineup.

By doing so, Lue will have to bench forward Jae Crowder, and he said he will do this with Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers.

Thompson started five games of the 26 games he played in this season, but was pulled from that role early. He suffered a calf injury in early November that kept him sidelined for nearly a month, and when he did come back he remained in a reserve role. Last season, Thompson was a starter in all 78 regular-season games he played.

"It has nothing to do with Jae, and he's been great," Lue said. "It's all about the right things, it's all about team. You hate to make these changes, but it's about the team."

"I talked to Crowder this morning and he said, whatever is for the team, what's best for the team, I'm all in."

This season, Crowder is averaging 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.