Cavs shake up starting lineup, move LeBron James to point guard in win over Bulls

With injuries keeping Isaiah Thomas (hip) and Derrick Rose (ankle) on the sideline for the Bulls-Cavaliers game on Tuesday, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue made significant changes to the lineup with LeBron James starting at point guard.

It was the first official start at point guard for James since 2005. In addition to the lineup shuffle, J.R. Smith started at shooting guard in place of Dwyane Wade, while Tristan Thompson started at center with Jae Crowder and Kevin Love filling out the front court.

The new lineup struggled early but overcame halftime deficit to beat the hapless Bulls, 119-112. James scored 34 points from the point and added 13 assists. Wade played just 18 minutes in the win but out-shot Smith, who scored just three points on 1-of-8 shooting in 32 minutes.

Lue said before the game he made the lineup change in an effort to stop 7-foot Robin Lopez. The moves paid off as the Cavs' big men held Lopez to just 11 points and three rebounds.

Love, who was moved back to his normal power forward position after Lue changed the lineup for the third time in three games, recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds.