INDEPENDENCE: Cavaliers coach Byron Scott believes his young team has made significant progress since it fell to LeBron James and the Miami Heat two weeks ago.
Scott, though, is also quick to point out that the Cavs will be undermanned tonight when they visit the Heat for a rematch
Guards Anthony Parker (back) and Daniel Gibson (neck) and rookie forward Tristan Thompson (sprained left ankle) didn’t make the trip to Florida. In addition, the team waived undrafted rookie Mychel Thompson on Monday when it believed Gibson would be healthy enough to return.
“I think we are a better basketball team than we were the last time we played [the Heat],” Scott said. “But obviously injuries play a part in sports, and obviously when you’re missing Anthony Parker and Tristan Thompson — two guys that are very [important to] what you’re trying to do — it’s going to hurt you a little bit.”
Gibson practiced Monday for the first time since he was sidelined with a soft tissue infection in his neck that forced him to miss the past four games. He was expected to make the trip, and Scott was hopeful he could play.
“I feel great,” Gibson said after practice, but moments later apparently told the training staff he still had discomfort in his neck.
The Cavs waived Thompson early in the afternoon when they thought Gibson was back and available. He was on a non-guaranteed contract and had to be waived this week or else his salary would've become guaranteed for the rest of the season.
Thompson started the past three games while Gibson and Parker sat out. In five games this season, he shot 29.2 percent from the field, averaging 3.6 points, one rebound and 1.4 assists in 19 minutes per game.
The Cavs can temporarily fill Thompson's roster spot with a plethora of Development League players. NBA teams could begin signing players to 10-day contracts on Monday and guard Manny Harris, who is with the Cavs’ D-League team in Canton, is a logical choice. But if the Cavs don't want to commit to anyone through the end of the season, they can conceivably cycle through other players on 10-day deals between now and the trade deadline.
Backcourt uncertainty
As for tonight’s game against the Heat, Scott will likely be forced to start Alonzo Gee at shooting guard. Scott contemplated starting Gee last week, but ultimately chose Thompson because of the energy Gee brings off the bench.
Now he’s left with little choice.
The only other option would be to start Ramon Sessions, but that would leave the Cavs without a point guard to bring off the bench. By starting Gee, it would create playing time for either Luke Harangody or Christian Eyenga at Gee’s typical spot of backup small forward.
Rookie point guard Kyrie Irving was looking forward to lessening his load a little bit, but that will likely have to wait now until Gibson really does return.
In the past three games, Irving has played about 36, 40 and 37 minutes, respectively. Scott would like Irving to receive between 31 and 33 minutes.
“These past few games, I’ve had career highs in minutes,” Irving said. “It’s been an adjustment, but I’m still enjoying it."
Increased confidence
Gibson maintains he still doesn’t know exactly what caused the infection. He remembers tweaking his neck during a recent game. Doctors told him the injury, combined with an illness, could have led to the swelling he experienced in the left side of his neck. He didn’t have trouble breathing, but chewing was difficult until the swelling subsided.
Now Gibson is anxious to play again and has seen the Cavs improve lately.
“We’re growing,” said Gibson, who is averaging 7.1 points per game and shooting 33.9 percent from the field this season. “We’re taking a lot of strides. We’re continuing to get better on defense. We’re talking. We’re moving the ball better as a unit, and we’re becoming a more cohesive unit. I think guys really are starting to understand what it’s gonna take to win.”
The Cavs (9-13) certainly received a confidence boost Saturday night. Irving drove to the basket and made two clutch layups in the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds to lift the Cavs to a 91-88 victory over the defending-champion Dallas Mavericks.
“We had games in the past that we didn’t finish well, but now I think we’re figuring it out,” Irving said. “We just continue to get better every single day.”
Scott said the team has missed Gibson’s toughness. They could've used that against the Heat (18-6), who are 4-1 against the Cavs since James left Cleveland.
“We’ve missed [Gibson’s toughness] in two ways: In the fourth quarter, the way he’s able to guard guys; and he makes big shots,” Scott said. “So you missed him on both ends.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at http://browns.ohio.com. Follow the Browns on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/browns.abj.
