Doc Rivers: 'Not Cool' for Cavs to Rest Stars

"We want energy like that, so we try and do it in practice and bring it to the games", Brandon Ingram, Lakers' rookie forward, said after Friday's loss. "It's hard. It's impossible if you actually knew what went into scheduling, but the look of back-to-back ABC national games - it's not good". Presumably, the big three will be back in action for that game.

James has missed six games this season - five to "rest" and one for strep throat.

Cavaliers' general manager David Griffin told ESPN the league office called him shortly after the team announced the Big 3 would not play and said they were not happy. The Cavaliers also rested Kevin Love, who returned from a 13-game absence during Thursday's victory over the Utah Jazz but was not cleared to play back-to-back games in the aftermath of his knee surgery.

"I hate it for the fans. There are people with Blake and DJ jerseys all over the place".

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Several analysts criticized Lue and the Cavaliers for fielding a subpar team during a nationally-televised game against one of the best teams in the league. "I think the (scuffle) made us more competitive".

"Sometimes you have to understand it is not a show but a competition", the Cavaliers' coach said after his team came from behind to beat the Lakers Sunday night at Staples Center.

Almost every team sits their stars, especially squads that have championship aspirations. Just last week, the Warriors chose to rest Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Iguodala against the San Antonio Spurs. You need to protect the top guys from exhaustion. "They didn't get a chance to see that, and that's not cool". The Cavaliers have won four in a row at Staples Center, besides beating Los Angeles 119-108 at home on December 17. It'll be interesting how much the league can (or will) do to address the issue.