INDEPENDENCE — According to Dr. Maurice Williams, Cavaliers guard Delonte West will be back in action when Cleveland hosts New Jersey tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.

West, who has missed the last eight games with a fractured ring finger on his left hand, went through a full-contact practice Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Coach Mike Brown wouldn’t confirm West would play against the Nets, but point guard Mo Williams, who has missed nine games with a sprained left shoulder, did.

“One thing about Red,” said Williams, using West’s nickname, “it doesn’t take him long (to get ready). He can be out forever and it just seems like he never misses a beat.”

The Cavaliers certainly haven’t, as they’ve tied an NBA season high by winning 11 straight games, the vast majority of that coming without their two best point guards, to improve their record to a league-best 41-11.

Making that an NBA season-high 12 in a row by beating the Nets, whose 4-46 record is far and away the worst in the league, shouldn’t be too difficult, but the Cavaliers sometimes play down to the opponent’s level.

Playing against the Nets will give West an opportunity to get his feet wet before a showdown against the Orlando Magic on Thursday, Cleveland’s last game before the All-Star break.

“He looks good,” Brown said of West. “It’s good to get anybody back. He was just himself, which is really good. We’d love to have him back.”

Brown wouldn’t confirm the guard’s return, let alone say whether he would start or come off the bench.
Odds are West will play in relief of Daniel “Boobie” Gibson tonight. That trend could continue beyond the New Jersey game as well so the Cavaliers don’t have to make a second adjustment when Williams comes back and moves into the starting lineup.

Williams hurt his shoulder Jan. 19 against Toronto. The next night, the Cavaliers said he would be out four to six weeks. Tonight marks three weeks since the injury, meaning Williams could possibly be back for Cleveland’s first game after the All-Star break, a Feb. 18 home game against Denver.

“I’m taking it day-by-day,” Williams said. “Obviously, the four to six weeks was accurate. We’re making progress. Everything I do now is progressing well. Hopefully, four weeks is the good part for me.

“I want to play (against the Nets),” he added. “At the end of the day, I’m no fool. I’m anxious. I want to play, but I know the big goal.”

Williams’ frustrations over not playing have been eased by the Cavaliers’ success, which has been fueled by the tremendous play of LeBron James, who Monday was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the fifth time this season.

“It’s fun watching,” Williams said. “It’s tough not playing, but we’re doing a great job on the floor in a lot of different areas.”

Tip-ins

• James earned Player of the Week honors for the 25th time in his seven-year career after averaging a league-best 35.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 10.3 assists as the Cavaliers went 3-0. James had 47 points Saturday against New York, including 23 in the first quarter for the second time in four games and a franchise-record 35 in the first half. Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook was honored in the West.
• New Jersey lists two starters as questionable for tonight. Guard Devin Harris has a mild left shoulder sprain and power forward Yi Jianlian has a sore right shoulder. Small forward Jarvis Hayes is probable with a bruised left shin.

Tonight

• Who: Cleveland vs. New Jersey
• Time: 7 o’clock
• Where: The Q
• TV/radio: FS Ohio; WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM

Contact Rick Noland at (330) 721-4061 or rickn@ohio.net.

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