Tristan Thompson will start at center in Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Thompson will start at center in Wednesday's game against the Mavericks, Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Analysis:

It's just the third start in eight games for Thompson, as coach Tyronn Lue has elected to use Timofey Mozgov with the top unit more frequently to match up better with opponents' sizable front lines. With the Mavericks recently dropping Zaza Pachulia from the starting five and deploying Dirk Nowitzki as a "stretch center," however, it makes sense for Lue to insert the more mobile Thompson back on the top lineup. Thompson may head back to the bench for Friday's tilt with the Magic, but he still figures to see more minutes than Mozgov regardless of how he's utilized.