Semih

Erden

The wrist injury forced Erden to leave Friday’s game early, but it doesn’t sound too severe. Even healthy, he’d have a big challenge against DeMarcus Cousins.

Alonzo Gee also left with a towel over his head and went to the locker room with a possible nose injury.

Semih Erden started at center and played after receiving four stitches above his right eye, and had five points and three rebounds in 16 minutes. Both players are getting some run in the absence of Anderson Varejao, but have failed to live up to the hype thus far. Keep an eye on both of them going forward.

Hollins logged 31 minutes on Saturday, posting 15 points, seven rebounds and no blocks. He did more than enough to keep Semih Erden on the pine. Alonzo Gee will also stick as the starting small forward ahead of Omri Casspi, as expected.

Erden sprained his ankle very badly and it’s entirely possible he’ll be out for the remainder of the season. Anderson Varejao could be back next week, but Tristan Thompson is staring at all of the minutes he can handle down the stretch.

Erden’s sprain appears severe. It opens up a shade more minutes for Tristan Thompson and Samardo Samuels.

Replays were tough to watch and it’s very possible Erden’s season is now over, although we’ll call him day-to-day for now. Anderson Varejao could be back next week, but this should just mean more minutes for Tristan Thompson when all is said and done.

The qualifying offer to Erden would be for roughly $1.1 million. If the Cavs don’t make the offer, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent. Erden flopped badly with a chance as the starting center after Anderson Varejao’s injury this season, averaging just 5.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in that role.

Erden saw just seven minutes of burn before catching a seat on the bench. Below-average talent combined with poor effort is a recipe to lose one’s starting job. Ryan Hollins came off the bench for 28 minutes while rookie Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 10 rebounds in just 15 minutes.

He’s double-doubled in two of his last three games and was in some foul trouble tonight. It makes sense for the Cavaliers to turn him loose for the second half, although it also doesn’t sound like Byron Scott has any plans to start him. Thompson deserves a look in many fantasy leagues right now, as starter Semih Erdan had just four points and three rebounds in eight minutes.