After being sidelined for 11 games due to a broken finger, Irving (28 points, 11 assists) was simply fantastic against the Los Angeles Lakers. Fatigue and rust were apparently not a factor, as Irving started and played a season-high 38 minutes in the Cleveland Cavaliers' victory.
As it happened, Davis also missed 11 games, in his case due to a stress reaction in his left ankle. The top overall pick in the 2012 draft played 25 minutes off the bench, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks against the Washington Wizards. Barring any setbacks, count on Davis' minutes climbing from here, playing time that most likely will come at Ryan Anderson's expense. Remember that Anderson came off the bench to start this season. In his first 14 starts -- all games that Davis missed -- Anderson has averaged 35 minutes. In the six games where Anderson was a reserve behind Davis, he's averaged only 28 minutes. However, Anderson's points, 3-pointers made and shots taken are all about the same whether or not he starts.
That's interesting but perhaps not all that surprising. The Hornets are so weak offensively (28th in the NBA in scoring), they need Anderson to take every shot available when he's in there, particularly when he's playing with other backups.
Looking Back
Looking Ahead
• James Harden (ankle) practiced Tuesday and could play Wednesday. However, Jeremy Lin might not be in the backcourt with Harden when the Houston Rockets host the Wizards. Lin sprained his left ankle toward the end of that practice. If either or both are unavailable, expect to see more of Carlos Delfino and Toney Douglas.
• Andray Blatche (23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals Tuesday against the New York Knicks) continues to excel in place of Brook Lopez. Lopez is practicing, though, so consider him questionable when the Brooklyn Nets visit the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
• Tyreke Evans (knee) is expected to play for the Sacramento Kings, who visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Speaking of the Bucks, Ersan Ilyasova (leg) is finally showing some signs of life, having reached double figures in three straight. Though Illy has missed a couple of practices, he is expected to play against the Kings.
• Goran Dragic (illness) should return, but he could be limited for the Phoenix Suns, who host the Memphis Grizzlies. Dragic practiced on Tuesday but said afterward he still felt weak.
