MILWAUKEE: Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West aren't holding any grudges, but that doesn't mean tonight won't have any extra meaning.

The two new Cavaliers are also former Celtics and will be making their first return to Boston tonight with the Cavs to face the team that traded them both last summer.

''Who can blame them for that trade?'' said Szczerbiak, who was shipped to the Seattle SuperSonics with West and the rights to the No. 5 overall draft pick for Ray Allen last June. It was a move that helped convince Kevin Garnett to green-light a trade to the Celtics. ''They made a great decision and it is working out for them. It is going to be a fun game.''

Both Szczerbiak and West said they were treated well in Boston and have nothing but praise for the storied franchise. Yet both still said they felt left out when the Celtics upgraded to elite status while they were shipped to the Sonics, a team not focusing on winning and trying to relocate to Oklahoma City.

''I've got a sour taste in my mouth. I've been on the losing end of things for most of my career,'' said West, who was on losing Celtics teams the past two years there. ''I'm not going trying to prove any points there, but I definitely want to win in Boston.''

Szczerbiak was hampered by knee and ankle injuries after he was traded to the Celtics two year ago following a successful career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was only able to play 32 games with the Celtics last season, which made him expendable when the Celtics looked to rebuild.

Now that he's healthy and having a good season, Szczerbiak has been anxious to show it.

He didn't get much notice in Seattle, but now is on a much bigger stage playing next to LeBron James and wants to remind people that he was once an All-Star.

''I've pretty much been kicked to the curb last year and the beginning of this year,'' Szczerbiak said. ''People forgot what I was of capable of doing. I had to use my time in Seattle as a resurrection to remind people of what I was capable of. It has landed me here.''

In the locker room

• Zydrunas Ilgauskas missed Tuesday's game, suffering from an upper respiratory infection. He didn't come to the Bradley Center for the game but will travel with the team to Boston. Ilgauskas was the only starter not to miss a game this season. He is questionable for tonight's game against the Celtics. The illness is spreading within the team. Athletic trainer Max Benton also missed the game, the first time he's been out in recent memory.

• A few weeks ago, the Cavs were monitoring the Sam Cassell situation in Los Angeles closely. According to reports, the Clippers' point guard will get his wish soon and be available after terms of a buyout are agreed to. If he clears waivers, which isn't assured, he could be a free agent by the end of the week. The Cavs have two roster spots and $4 million left of their mid-level exception to bid if they chose. However, sources have hinted that the Cavs will not likely be getting seriously involved. They are still adjusting to their new players and Cassell is favored to go to the Celtics.