Tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-16) will not only welcome back point guard Kyrie Irving to the starting lineup, they'll host one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets (23-11). Watch the game on ESPN or live stream it free by clicking this link. Rockets fans can listen to the radio broadcast on Sports Talk 790, while Cavaliers fans may do likewise 560 WQAM.
The Cavaliers will have a bit of a new look tonight as J.R. Smith expected to be in uniform for a playoff contender. The two former Knicks may have hit the lottery in joining a star-studded Cavs team that looked like it needed a jolt.
"We're very excited to welcome Iman and J.R. to Cleveland," general manager David Griffin told the Cavs' official website. "With their size and versatility, we think both Iman and J.R. can help our team on both ends of the court and we look forward to them joining us."
Iman Shumpert isn't back yet from an injured shoulder, but when ready he will be the second-best perimeter defender on the roster aside from LeBron James, who is also currently out.
The up-and-down Cavs are coming off their second straight loss, which they suffered despite 28 points and 19 rebounds from power forward Kevin Love. He managed that without James or Irving in the lineup, and with Dion Waiters a late scratch having been dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"I just think it felt like we didn't have our firepower," Love said. "I've been there before, but we should have been able to pull this one out if we just would have played better. ... We're down, but not out."
The Rockets have scuffled a bit as well since adding power forward Josh Smith from the scrap heap. They dropped their last game in Chicago, marking the third straight road tilt in which they came up short.
"It happens sometimes, we just have to find better ways to execute in the fourth quarter," center Dwight Howard said. "We just have to play better as a team."
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