Cavs will be shorthanded in Tuesday’s juicy matchup vs. Boston Celtics

BOSTON — Staying undefeated will be more difficult than originally anticipated. Already missing do-it-all forward Dean Wade and sharpshooter Max Strus, the Cavs will also be without Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro for Tuesday’s highly anticipated playoff rematch against the Boston Celtics. Those absences leave Cleveland without four of its top 11 expected rotational players — and three of the best defenders. Bad timing considering the Celtics boast the league’s second-best offense. There is some positive news as Sam Merrill, who has missed the previous three games because of an achy left ankle that first started bothering him about two weeks ago, will be available, providing a slight boost to a suddenly weakened bench. LeVert, the team’s reliable reserve and one of six players averaging double figures on the season, continues to deal inflammation in his left knee that requires extra recovery and maintenance. Okoro, a dogged on-ball defender, suffered a sprained ankle in the first half of the team’s win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. He did not play the second half and had a slight limp in the locker room afterward. In the case of all of their injured guys, the Cavs are being extra cautious, especially with a small break coming in the schedule and added recovery time. Tuesday’s matchup the second in group play for the NBA Cup. It is also the first meeting between Cleveland and Boston since the Eastern Conference semifinals — a five-game series loss that led to the firing of coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the arrival of Kenny Atkinson.