Mike Miller makes surprise start for Cavs in Game 1

By foxsports
Published

CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers veteran swingman Mike Miller was a surprise starter for Game 1 against Chicago.

With Cleveland missing starters Kevin Love and J.R. Smith, Cavs coach David Blatt decided to go with Miller, who made 15 regular-season starts. The 15-year veteran's addition to the lineup was mildly shocking since Blatt also had James Jones and Shawn Marion as options.

Miller has plenty of playoff experience with Orlando, Memphis and Miami. He has averaged 5.4 points in 85 postseason games.

In his first start this season, Miller made seven 3-pointers in a win over Brooklyn.

Love is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He was injured in Cleveland's series-clinching win over Boston. Smith is suspended from the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals for striking Celtics guard Jae Crowder in the face.

Iman Shumpert started in Smith's ''off guard'' spot.