Cleveland Cavaliers: Despite Injuries, Wine and Gold Pass Road Test

It's always nice to be home, especially for the Wine and Gold. It couldn't have come at a better time.

Missing two key parts in Big Z and Delonte West, Cleveland not only survived their trip, they posted a 3-1 record, winning in difficult venues.

Mo Williams played like the all-star many believe he should be, averaging roughly 22 ppg on the trip, including a 33-spot against the Blazers. Sasha Pavlovic has filled in decently for West, averaging 13.6 in his last five games.

Oh, and that guy people call the King, he did OK, with three straight 30+ point nights to end the trip on a three-game winning streak, including a buzzer-beater against the Warriors on Friday night.

The bench has also stepped up in recent games, with rookie J.J. Hickson providing big minutes to help a depleted front court. Shooters Boobie Gibson and Wally Szczerbiak have also played key roles for the Cavaliers.

Now with the trip coming to an end, the Wine and Gold come back to the friendly confines of Quicken Loans Arena and stay on the East Coast until the All-Star Break. They will alternate home and away games all the way up until the break, while hoping to maintain their perfect home record, which currently stands at 20-0.

After losing many parts of their starting lineup, the Cavs received great news today when Zydrunas Ilgauskas was cleared to resume practice with the Cavaliers, and just in time. The Magic are looming with a big showdown in Orlando on Thursday night.

In the long run, it will serve Ilgauskas better to return when he is clearly 100 percent, in case he is just rushing the injury. The fact that this team is still playing well against top competition most nights has to please the fans, who have been desperately craving a title since 1964.

It may be the middle of February where the lineup that set the record for most double-digit wins in a row will be reunited. But in the meantime, they are staying strong, and staying in control of their own destiny.

Other Cavalier Stuff

•Today, LeBron James won Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. As mentioned earlier, James had three straight games of 30+ points in wins against Portland, Golden State, and the Utah Jazz. James was also named to start for the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game.

•This Thursday's Cavs-Magic matchup may well determine who coaches the East in the All-Star Game, either Mike Brown or Stan Van Gundy. Doc Rivers cannot coach since he coached the game last year.

•Tarence Kinsey made a rare appearance in important minutes in Friday night's win over Golden State, scoring 11 big points and showing the huge amount of depth this Cavaliers team has.

•Wally Szczerbiak's huge $14 million contract is the biggest trading weapon in the NBA right now, but it looks more and more like the team will not make a move at the deadline. They may have to reconsider if Boston acquires Stephon Marbury, which continues to be a big mystery. Targets for the team include Kings C Brad Miller, Wolves G/F Mike Miller, and Bobcats F Gerald Wallace, any of whom would be great to help improve the team.